StacyS

Raine, you look awesome!!! That dress looks so good on you! I cant believe the transformation you've gone through already! Wow!! Keep up the good work my April Sleeve buddy!!!

Congratulations Irene!! You simply look fantastic! You have the most beautiful face and look at those arms!! OMG, how skinny they are! I'm so happy for you, Irene!! I sure hope to be following in your foot steps at 9months post-op! WTG!!!!!

Yes! I went to the weight loss center next door to the hospital. OMG, they are all so wonderful there! Hannah and Kai... they treat you so well and make you feel so comfortable! I totally love them! I sure hope my skin bounces back w/out needing surgery! I dont have money for surgery.... LOL

Has anyone gotten or will be getting plastic surgery?? Was wondering how the skin's elasticity was for us thrirty year olds!

Hi Meg, I'm glad you're doing really well. I'm a week behind you and haven't had as great of an experience as you. I struggle everyday to get food in w/out being nauseous but step by step, right? It's nice to hear how the other April sleevers are doing and I'm happy to hear you're doing great! Keep rockin your sleeve!!!

OMG Irene, you truely are so beautiful!!! I always love looking at your photos because you have the most beautiful face!!! I cant believe how much you've lost just from your first post on this thread back in Feb til now! You simply look amazing! And your arms.... they look fantastic! Keep going strong! You're my inspiration!!!

No, you dont have to stay off the hot drinks... Actually, in the beginning your esphogaus gets really tight in the morning and it's recommended that you sip on some warm broth or tea to help. Well, I dont like either of them and discovered some bariatric hot chocolate! It's 80 cal, 15g Protein, and 5 carbs... It tastes great and took the place of my coffee each morning. To this day I still drink it each morning. Check them out here: http://www.mybariatricpantry.com/Pantry_Selections_Hot_Chocolate_Protein_Drinks_p/ps-ht_choc.htm

@AKMama.... Yes, I was approved for the sleeve on the first try. Last year they were denying people left and right but did approve on appeals, but this year, since it's no longer considered experimental, they are more willing to approve you, as long as you have ALL of their requirements covered. You see, I thought I would be denied on my first try because I didnt have a BMI of 40 or more for longer than 2 consectutive years. I actually gainned weight in order to qualify for this surgery. But since I was between a BMI of 36-38 they considered that obses and approved me. Mind you, I had to do the 3 month supervised diet and all the other requirements too though.

You did?? How cool! Who was your surgeon? I had Dr. Kokkalera, who was awesome! I totally loved him and his staff! Northridge was a great hospital to have the surgery at! As for the upper arms, mine are so huge (check out my gallery page) that if I started working them out with weights or something, they'll just get bulky with muscle and look even worse! Once I get closer to goal I'm definately going to search around for surgery on them!

At a week out, your body is still holding onto all the fluids the surgeon pumped your stomach up with! Do not be concerned just yet. I know it's all exciting to see the lbs drop so quickly after surgery, but in reality, it's not gonna happen like that. Your body is still in shock and has no idea what you just did to it. Some people gain weight after surgery from all the fluids that are left in the body. But dont worry.... you will slowly start to release the fluids and begin to lose some pounds. But remember, you're body is in shock and this is completely normal! It happened to me and then I went into a 2, almost 3 week stall! Then one day I dropped 5lbs in one week. So, keep your chin up and keep sipping that water!

That's great!!! Don't worry, it's better to get it done earlier rather than later.... so your new life can begin that much quicker! Good luck to you!!!

I was just wondering if anyone has had their upper arms done? I'm not at goal yet but I KNOW once I get there my arms will need a lot of work and would like to see before/after pics of yours, and advice....

I'm only a week behind you Lyn and I'm no where near you eating wise!

CONGRATS!!! Doesn't it feel wonderful! I hit 198 this week too!!! There's no where for us to go but DOWN from here!!! Keep up the good work!!

OMG, I'm feeling the same way! Do you get nauseous just thinking about eating? I do.... I dont know what's going on. I was sick last week with a cold and ever since then my stomach has been so mean to me! Nothing goes down good; nothing tastes good! Just thinking about eating is making me queezy. I'm 7wks out and cant eat more than 3 or 4 bites of anything and then have to battle to keep it down. Before last week I was fine and was able to get all my requirements in but between last wk and this wk, things are getting worse. I'm hoping it's just this cold that's making things difficult, but only time will tell. If it gets worse I'm gonna call my doctor!

Wow... I need to talk to my doctor then, cuz I'm not even able to finish 1/4c of anything yet! I take a few bites and I'm done... not cuz I'm full but because my stomach is acting up. After I was sick last week I havent been able to really eat anything. Nothing tastes good, everything tastes bland! Also, after my 3rd bite or so my stomach starts to fight back at me and I get nauseous. Yesterday after eating some egg salad I really battled to keep it down. I'm having another problem... even when I THINK about food I'm starting to get nauseous! This has NEVER happened to me before! EVER! Has anyone else experienced this at all?

Did you try it yet????

This is a great question since I was wondering the same thing! I'm almost 8wks out and am still making delicious dinners for the family but after I taste it or bring it to work for lunch, it doesn't really taste all that great anymore. For example, I'm trying to eat my homemade refried Beans right now and after the first bite goes in my stomach starts to turn and I hold back the urge to gag. I attempt to take more than 3 or 4 bites and I just cant do more. I also made my world famous teriyaki chicken the night before and when I ate it it tasted so bland to me! I'm happy to hear that after about 3 months the desire for good food will return but right now it's awful. I LOVE my cooking and I am a pretty good cook so it's annoying to not really enjoy your own food right now... LOL....

You know, I've always hated when I've posted something about a stall or not losing and people would tell me to be patient and the weight will drop! But I'm gonna tell you the same thing... it will start to drop! In the beginning our body is going through so many changes that it's in shock! Give your body time to adjust and realize that it's HUGE organ is now a little bitty thing and it needs time to adjust! The best thing you can do right now is keep doing what you're doing! In time your body will understand and will realign to the new you! Trust me when I say this... I was stalled for almost 3 full weeks!!

I have a 4 and 2 yr old and my mom took the kids for a week then the second week I had my aunt take them to day care for me. There was NO WAY I would be able to stay home with them right after surgery. Kids are pretty demanding and when you're in recovery, you need all the rest and focus you can get!!

Hey my fellow April Sleevers!! How's everyone doing? So... most of us should be on solid foods now, or at least transitioning to solids soon, and I was curious to see what everyone is eating, what works well for you, and what kinds of food simply dont work!! I'm on soft foods and will be going to solids next week. I'm really scared since I'm still not able to finish a full 1/4c of anything yet that's not pureed. How did all of you transition to solids? Did it work immediately or did it take time?

Awesome job! Doesnt it feel great?!?! Amazing what 30 or 35lbs can do to you, huh?! Good luck on the next 30!!

Yes, your taste buds do change; however, you do need to purchase some things to have on hand when you get home from the hospital and the week after. Here is a few things you'll want on hand: chicken, Veggie, Beef broth! Clear Protein drinks, either RTD (ready to drink) and/or powdered mix - I used Isopure RTD as well as Syntrax nectar mixes (I purchased the sample pack from www.mybariatricpantry.com) I highly recommend you doing this now and saving it for after surgery!! It's only like $13.00 and they give you one of each flavor! I also purchased the bariatric hot chocolate from them and drink it every morning. Creamed Soups like Campbell's soups- your choice of flavors Progresso soups- this is great blended up for added flavor after the broth gets old Fage greek yogurt - you can flavor it up with splenda and/or crystal light SF Pops SF Jello SF pudding You can also make homemade veggie Soup, chicken soup, etc and freeze them in small containers and defrost them as needed Again, go to www.mybariatricpantry.com and check out their samples! You need to pay attention to their carb/protein contents tho on some of their products. Some of their RTD stuff has caffeine in them. But if you buy their sample packs of Isopure and Syntrax Nectar, you're safe!

I MADE ONEDERLAND!!!! 198 this morning!!!