ATLGirl

I know this feeling. I had surgery on Jan. 22 and now I'm eating regular food. When something taste so good and then after a few bites.. I'm like "oh-np". But I am learning to stretch my eating period over 30 mins to make sure I am getting all the vitamins possible.

Only drink bottled water. My surgeon, coordinator, and driver all pressed that.

Dearly beloved, We are all here to say Rest In Peace to the salty fred goodness known as McDonald's Fries. Oh they were good fries. Crispy, crunch, and oh so good. They are being laid to rest with the Whopper and the Triple Thick shake. May they never return to this body For I am now made new and whole

Sorry you having issues. Sending healing waves your way.

Onederful!

Sending healing your way

I read somewhere on here that the amount of calories you would have to eat to gain a pound or two overnight is almost impossible for new sleevers. Once I read that, I stop beating myself up and kept it moving.

The sleeve does require a hospital stay...recommended 2-3 days.

Tiffany posted a chart about the importance of a good multivitamin. I'm going to try to find it to post.

Hi my wonferful family, I can really use some suggestions and word of encouragement. I am 32 days out and I feel like I am failing already. I thought I was doing pretty well with 32 pounds gone. But this week alone I have added 2.4 pounds back on. At first I thought it was because of the Water. I have finally been able to drink about 70 ozs a day. But now, i'm not sure. I wanted to ask about the importance of the Protein shake. i don;t eat much but everyday I fail to make it through a Protein Shake. So to make up I eat a can of tuna and 1 egg everyday. I don't know if not getting to my protein goal of 50-60 grms a day is hindering my weightloss. I am trying to suck it up and not be a baby. If you guys tell me its the lack of protein, then I know what I have to do. I was out of the 250s and now I am back knocking at its door. I do workout about 30-45 mins a day (in 20 min sections). I just don;t want to feel like I went through all of this for nothing. Thanks for listening.

Welcome Mary. I am only a little over a month out, but I'm glad I made the choice.

Thought I shared with you all what I wrote on Facebook in early December 2010. So I knew that I would have to write about this topic. I mean it was one of the topics that I put on a piece of paper and placed in the envelope. I just didn’t expect to pull it out first. While I could ramble on and on to avoid writing the first line. But I know my story is not the only one. I know it’s a secret that many people struggle with…alone… in the dark. Okay, I’m doing it. I am avoiding writing the first line. A line that will help me and so many others begin to heal… I was molested when I was a child. There I said it. I was molested for almost three years of my life by my mother best friend Kathy’s son Larry. I remember everything like it was yesterday. His smell. His voice. His touch. The shame and pain of it all. Now, as a mother of a daughter I can’t even imagine… The Beginning I was almost 7. Almost Seven years old when I was robbed of my innocence. We would spend quite a bit of time at Kathy’s house. My mama was a hard worker. It didn’t start out as one would think. Larry WAS nice. He helped us with our homework. He always let us hold his Game Boy. I mean he looked normal. When it first started, I pretended to be sleep. Even as I type, I want to crawl into a hole and cry. He didn’t say anything. He didn’t try anything too far. He came into the room and fondled me for what seemed like an eternity. Then he gave me a sour apple grape Blow Pop. Till this day I hate grape anything. I was confused. I didn’t know what was wrong or right. My mother had talk to me about strangers and all the terrible things strangers could do. But Larry wasn’t a stranger. He was my mom’s best friend son. He ate dinner with us. He knew my family. He was Larry. The Middle I will never forget the first night he actually penetrated me. I was 8. It was so quite in the house that night. Across the room slept Cierra (his sister and my then best friend). I thought if Ii pretended to sleep, he would stop and go away. The room was dark, but the streetlight outside gave it some glow. I squeezed my eyes closed and murmured “please.” He whispered to me, "if you move I will kill you." So I stayed very still. I didn’t cry. I didn’t move. I just laid there looking at the light coming through the window. I can’t remember how long it lasted, but I still remember the door creaking open when he left and then sounds in the kitchen. I cried so quietly that night. I don’t remember falling asleep, but when I woke up he was asking me did I want some King Vitamin. Till this day I hate King Vitamin. When my mom came to get us, I wanted to tell her everything. “Hey Aunt Toni” he said when she came through the door. She hugged him. Laughed with Kathy and we left. I didn’t want to say anything. I didn’t want to die. Then the next weekend… almost every weekend…for more than a year it happened. I always wanted to say something. But I was confused. It’s not like he was mean to me. I mean he would buy me candy. He would tell me I’m pretty. And I just assumed that it was normal. He was normal. It progressively got worst over the years. And not only would he threaten to kill me. He would threaten to kill my mommy and my brother. So I stayed quite. The End Over the course of the molestation, I gained A LOT of weight. In Larry and Chris (his brother [Chris NEVER touched me]) room was what seemed like hundreds of poster of skinny women wearing bikinis. I figured if I was fat, then he would not want me. Would not bother me. Would leave me alone. I ate and ate. I always laughed though. I learned at an early age that being funny was my talent. It was all I could do to make friends (at my size) and I learned no one asked questions when you smiled. I use to think why couldn’t anyone see through façade to my pain. I don’t blame my mother at all. She was doing all she could do to support us. She trusted Kathy’s kids like her own. I never did tell her… she told me. When I was in the 4th grade, Kathy died. And while I missed Kathy, I was so happy that we never had to go over there again. I just still didn’t have enough courage to tell her because he was not dead. One night my mom, C-lo, my brother, and myself was watching a movie called “I Know My First Name is Steven.” It’s about a boy who was kidnapped and molested all most of his life. I cried and cried and cried almost the whole movie. I told my mom I was afraid that it would happen to my brother. I lied. A couple of days later when I came home from school, my mom was sitting in the living room crying. C-lo (my “step” dad) was there. She told me she had a dream that afternoon and Kathy came to her in her dream and asked her to ask me “if Larry ever touched me.” I didn’t know what to say. The tears in her eyes showed so much pain. I shook my head yes and my mom grabbed me so tight that day. She sobbed and apologized for what seemed like hours. I told her it wasn’t her fault, but I don’t think she ever forgave herself. She called my uncles and they came over. I told them the whole story. We all cried. Then called the police. When Kathy died, Rico and Cierra moved in with Larry. When the police went to arrest Larry, he wasn’t home. He never came home. We learned that he molested his sister Cierra too. She knew I was being molested. She would see him come into the room. She apologized to me. But she said she was just happy when I came over because then he wouldn’t bother her. I wasn’t mad with her. I felt very said for her. Even though my situation was bad on the weekend, she lived with him every day. I never saw Cierra after that day. Never heard the name Larry again. The Beginning Learning to love myself has not been an easy battle. My weight is something I still haven’t gotten under control. There are other periods in my life where I was sexually assaulted. So I think a piece of me wants to believe that the bigger I get the more I’ll fade into the background. I feel like staying 270 pounds will make me less of a target and safer. I know it sounds xrazy but you never see any FAT people as victims in SVU. I am trying to tell myself to stop thinking like that but its hard. While this surgery will change my outter shell, but I have to learn to love the inner me. Slowly I am. What have I learned? With my own daughter I will let her know no matter what she can come to me. Even though it was the lesson my told me, the fear was greater. And while I DO NOT blame her, I wish there was multiple points before Kathy’s death where she would have asked. I will teach Ja’Nya about ALL people and trust ALMOST no one and don;t use food as a coping mechanism. Some Facts I know I am not the only one out there who is dealing with a secret like this. Parents take the time to educate yourself and your children about uncomfortable topics like this. Here are some facts to help you understand this silent epidemic: One of the myths regarding child molesters is that they “look different” or behave differently from others in some way. Here are some statistics describing child molesters: 97% are male 91% are heterosexual 91% consider themselves to be religious 48% are college educated The molester is not a stranger. Over 91% of children are molested by someone they know. Almost 8% of African American men admit to molesting a child

Please read........it might help you. Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV has been around for a long time yet many doctors do not prescribe it for ailments that it is perfectly capable of treating. * * * This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. Apple cider vinegar, also called just cider vinegar, is produced from cider or apple must (crushed and aged apples). The unfiltered product is a kind of brownish to yellow color, the unfiltered cider contains the "mother of vinegar", this is the part that has the most health benefits. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural bacteria fighter that contains minerals and trace elements such as magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, silicon and fluorine. This wonder food is said to help with weight loss, acne, acid reflux, cholesterol, constipation and heartburn among others. it is also said to work wonders for your overall health and can even help fight diseases such as osteoporosis, cancer, memory problems and aging. Apple cider vinegar will also act as a blood thinner which aids in the prevention of high blood pressure (blood pressure chart). Vinegar has been used to cure and prevent a variety of ailments for centuries. As early as the time of Hippocrates, considered by many to be the father of medicine, vinegar was used to treat patients. During the Civil War, it was used as an antiseptic. What makes it so special and why should you use it? Apples are one of the most nutritious, health-giving foods available, containing a host of vitamins and minerals like pectin, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, phosphorous and potassium in addition to enzymes and amino acids. Apples are the main ingredient in apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar detoxifies and purifies various organs in the body. As a purifier, it breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances, it improves the health and function of organs such as the kidneys, bladder, and liver. It oxidizes the blood, reducing the risk of high blood pressure, and neutralizes any toxic substance or harmful bacteria that enters the body by ingesting certain foods. Apple cider vinegar promotes healthy digestion, assimilation and elimination. Research has proven that apple cider vinegar can assist in strengthening the heart, stabilizing blood sugar and reducing the risk of certain cancers. It flushes harmful toxins from your body and assists in weight control. Try drinking two to six teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with water every day. It can also be used in cooking or sprinkled on salads, vegetables, etc. You can drink it as a hot or cold beverage and sweeten it with honey. You might wonder, if Apple Cider Vinegar is so great, why hasn't your doctor told you about it? I think the simple reason might be that medical doctors are more apt to prescribe medicines than natural remedies. Pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money getting their medicines and pills approved and they certainly wouldn't want you using the inexpensive, unpatentable alternative of ACV instead of buying their expensive cures and treatments. One big problems today that many people suffer from is acid reflux. Consequently, pharmaceutical companies have come up with a plethora of pills to treat this ailment. But before you take pills that may be harmful to you, you might want to consider treating your acid reflux or other stomach ailments with apple cider vinegar. You see, your stomach needs acid to digest food and when you have digestive problems like acid reflux or heartburn it's not because you have too much acid it's because there is too little. Most medications you would take for these are antacids which diminish the amount of acid in your stomach but this may not be what you need. These antacids may treat the symptoms but they will not address the cause and therefore, will never cure your problem. Apple cider vinegar will mimic the acid level of your stomach and help you digest food properly which can help to treat that burning sensation. In addition, you might also consider taking digestive enzymes that will help your stomach digest the food. If you suffer from acid reflux, heartburn or nausea, try taking one tablespoon of Apple cider vinegar prior to each meal. You may see your symptoms go away in as little as three days. However, you'll want to continue this practice for three to nine months and you may see the problem disappear altogether. You don't want to use just any kind of ACV, though. What you need is organic apple cider vinegar that still has the enzymes in it (called the "mother"). This is where the healing properties are. The "mother" will show up inside the bottle as stringy globs floating around. To get the most out of your vinegar, shake it up each time you take a swig so that the mother can be dispersed throughout. What's that you say? It tastes terrible? Certainly most people do not take to the taste of ACV right away but it can be somewhat of an acquired taste and I know many people (including myself) that slug down a tablespoonful of the stuff all by itself. If you can't stomach this, space however, there are some things you can do to make it a little bit more palatable. Apple cider vinegar can be taken in many various ways including in salad dressings, making mayonnaise, or sprinkled on chips and fries. It also can be sweetened with natural honey to make it taste better, a method often used in India where physicians will often prescribe apple cider vinegar with Gotu Kola (a herb) to help in the revitalizing of the skin. You might try making a tea out of your Apple cider vinegar by heating a couple of water and then adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to that. While it's best to take ACV before each meal, you can also take it anytime your stomach feels a little upset and it will have immediately curative effects. Some people swear by it, and drink it for everything including the onset of cold and flu. Apple Cider Vinegar is also a cure for bad breath or halitosis due to its acidity. An additional benefit is that many people who have taken apple cider vinegar before each meal have seen a moderate weight loss as well. Some theories for the weight loss benefits of apple cider vinegar suggest that ACV may help to speed up the bodies metabolism. Medicinal uses of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar Honestly, natural apple cider vinegar is one of nature's own, true miracle health elixirs. The long history of its use demonstrates, rather clearly, that using vinegar was once highly revered as a practical medical application long before Johnny Appleseed graced North America by planting apple trees. The healing powers of vinegar has been traced back as far as 3000 BC, Hippocrates, Babylonia, and to 15th century England as a means to ward off dangerous and infectious diseases, to keep one's general health fit and strong, and used as a simple antiseptic/disinfectant. When deciding to use ACV for medicinal purposes, be sure to select only a raw, non-distilled vinegar. You may be able to find this type of vinegar in your regular grocery store. But more likely than not, you will probably need to look for it at a local health food store. Clear distilled vinegar is easy to find in any food store and is relatively inexpensive. This type of vinegar is great for regular household cleaning chores, but it is not so wonderful for your internal health. Non-distilled vinegars are definitely going to be more expensive and nutritionally potent than the distilled varieties, but isn't your health worth the price difference? Plus, you are going to have the satisfaction of knowing that you have chosen the right mixture that will work hard to enhance your health. Most commercial brands (whether white or brown) have been pasteurized, filtered, and refined or distilled in order to make the final product look more attractive to please the consumer. The manufacturers are only giving the consumer what they apparently seem to want. Unfortunately, unbeknown to the average consumer, this extra processing actually destroys much of the natural health restorative properties of the end product. Look for ACVs that have been cold pressed and made from whole, organically grown apples, with no added chemical preservatives, and in which the 'mother' of vinegar liquid has been retained. This 'mother' substance, as it is lovingly known, is the gelatinous liqueur that is naturally formed during the final fermentation process. This milky, cloudy, and stringy looking stuff at the bottom of the container is what contains the healthiest part of the mixture. It also lets you know that the important vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and naturally occurring good bacteria have not been compromised due to over processing, filtration, or excessive heating. Before consuming, shake the the bottle gently to thoroughly distribute all of the nutrients, pour, and serve. An energy boosting way to drink ACV, without it taking your breath away, is to mix about 2 teaspoons with an equal amount of raw honey in a small glass of warm water. Stir to dissolve the honey and drink one to three times a day. You can sip on this drink during a meal for extra digestive power, or you can drink this ahead of a meal. Refrain from drinking to much water or any other beverage during your meal, and for up to an hour afterward. Give your gastric stomach juices enough time to fully break down the food you just ate, on its own, without weakening their effects with added liquids. Why use apple cider vinegar? Because, when it is used medicinally it helps the body rid itself of harmful toxins, has wonderful disinfecting properties as a natural bad germ fighter, and is a very biodegradable substance that does not pollute the environment. With regular and continued use, this wonderful liquid helps restore and balance the body's pH, taking it from acidic to neutral in a short amount of time. Normally, it would be hard to believe that such an acidic substance could normalize, or lower our pH so easily. As far as I know, this only applies to vinegar, as our digestive system will naturally convert it to an alkaline based substance. An acidic internal system is directly caused from eating excessive amounts of meat, grains, and sugar by eating and drinking too many processed foods and beverages. This will provide an invitation, internally, for unwanted illness or disease to set up house. Otherwise, a neutral or more alkaline system will promote an enhanced emotional and physical health state. Raw, ACV contains over 40 different naturally occurring substances from vitamins and minerals, to enzymes and beneficial bacteria. It has been used for generations to treat a variety of different human health conditions such as, arthritis high blood pressure all types of skin problems chronic fatigue and insomnia heartburn and other digestive abnormalities high cholesterol maintaining normal body weight This is not exhaustive list, by far, of common health maladies that ACV has been known to eliminate. As with any new diet addition, your expectations may be too high in the healing effects of vinegar. Keep in mind that it is not to be considered a panacea for all ill health evils. Although many individuals have achieved a more improved physical state by using vinegar, without modifying their daily dietary habits, serious diet modifications need to be considered in some hard-core cases. Doing so would further enhance a partial response when combined with a healthier diet. This is, especially, a key factor when using vinegar for serious weight loss. You simply must reduce or eliminate your consumption of over processed foods, eat more raw plant foods, eat smaller meals more often, and step up your effort in getting regular and moderate physical exertion. These strategies combined with ACV will take you a long way in seeing the results you are hoping for, and quicker. It is possible to lose up to one to three pounds a week. Remember too...that diet modifications include increasing daily liquid intake. Apple cider vinegar works best when adequate liquids are supplied to help carry out the toxins we ingest and are exposed to every day. Not just any liquids, but read this to mean WATER exclusively. Start reducing the amounts of other beverages you may be drinking instead, such as soft drinks, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and alcohol. Moderation, in occasionally consuming these, is absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy body weight (even if your underweight), or if you are trying to lose weight. When used as a flavor seasoning, or drinking as a healthy tonic, ACV could have your current health issue becoming a thing of the past. As with any type of natural or conventional health treatment, be realistic. Expect a reasonable amount of time for vinegar to take affect. This may be only a few days, a week, or it could be longer. If you are really committed to giving it a real chance, you may look forward to a much different health reality sooner than you think. Related Articles about Apple Cider Vinegar Magic of Apple Cider Vinegar as a Natural Home Remedy Brenda Skidmore has spent over the last five years actively researching natural health care alternatives. She can attest to the many positive results natural practical cures and preventive strategies bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals whose public works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit: (link) Link To" Apple Cider Vinegar" <a href="http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/apple-cider-vinegar.shtml">Apple Cider Vinegar</a> Email Article Printable This site is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Read more: http://www.disabled-...l#ixzz11PR3zLr7 Source: Apple Cider Vinegar

OMG! This WAS such my worry. My husband has always been attracted to BBW. For months I had to really talk to him to make sure he was OK with my decision. We even looked online at different women body shapes to see what is the "smallest" body type he likes. He think Jennifer Hudson is perfect and Raven Simone. I don;t really have a "goal weight" that my doctor likes. To me 150 was as small as I wanted to go or a size 10, but to pacify my doctor I say 140. My breast are already changing faster than I would like. I think its because I went from breastfeeding to not and then the weight loss. I hope I don't get smaller than a C (really a D, but that's wishful thinking). I am a 38DD now. rest assured my husband said he has no problem telling me when he feels I am "too small." I think seeing the weight loss so far has him excited. He said he would love to be able to pick me up.

I puke almost every other day. I'm 32 days out, but you would think that there wasn't much in that little stomach. To me it doesn't feel any different. I am worried that I will develop on bad habit (over eating) to another one (puking). Hope it past soon. Spoke to my surgeon who backed me up to liquids for a few days to give my throat a rest. Haven;t puked in 2 days, so maybe its passing.

I am 32 days out. The liquid stage is pretty "easy" to get through. But trust me when you all have that first egg (or half of it) you will know your sleeve is there. I was glad that I could "drink" more than I expected. You have to stay hydrated and at 4 oz at a time, it take a good amount of energy..

I was worried about the flight so I book a late flight so it wouldn't be full. I was 281 (5'5) when I flew and did not get an extender (embarrassed to ask). If the flight is not full, they tend not care as much.

Please excuse my frankness, but I to look at your profile pic to see exactly who I am offering advice to. I, being African American, am no stranger to extensions. Extensions, depending on the install method, can actually protect your hair. There are many reasonable ways to test them out before spending big bucks. I recommend, like Sleeve, to go with clips. I wear clips on days I just want to add some length or don't have time (or money) to get a traditional install. You can also have your extensions sew-in, making sure NOT to go to a tight braider, fused in (also known as fusion [hot or cold], there is also a new no glue, no braids method which I am considering (but the cost is slightly higher) for an install that I want to last about 9 months. Hopes this helps.

Awesome. Who knew it only took 30 pounds to notice a difference. I just lost my first 30 one month out and I am looking forward to the next 30!