mrsteacher

I understand the thirst issue. If I don't drink enough during the day I sit on the sofa and drink water like there is no tomorrow!

I'm a morning person so if I was up and awake at 9 p.m. that would be a giant shock to my system I think "night time" people have to adjust their eating to accomodate their hours otherwise you will remain unhappy (and hungry).

I started a blog for the permance of it all. I still comment and post in the forums - particularily if I need a quick response. I don't really write the blog for responses more to help other people and to see how far I've come (although I am only at week 6 right now).

Congratulations. I had Dr. Kelly in March and couldn't be happier. I wrote about my experience on my blog here on this site.

I had two flights on my return trip. They were both about 2.5 hours each. I didn't experience any gas at all. I had GasX strips with me just in case but never needed them. My bigger worry was getting up to stretch my legs to avoid blood clots. If you get an aisle seat on the way back that shouldn't be a problem.

Great ideas! Thank you. Will check out the Dollar Tree tomorrow.

In my last post I wrote how I was looking for bento boxes (inexpensive - which is the key word) in order to portion control my lunches. I've actually become a little obsessed. I've recruited my son and daughter-in-law who are stationed in Japan to look for them for me as well. I'm actually applying my "redneck" smarts (I do live in the South y'all) to make my own compartmentalized lunch system. At Walmart I bought the smallest containers I could find in the food storage area - Rubbermaid 4 oz. They come 2 to a pack and are approxmately $3.50. I bought six packs (so right now I have 12 containers total - the goal is to get through a five day work week without having to wash the compartments every day). I still want some smaller sizes and was able to find 2 oz containers on Amazon - in their baby food section http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YQQQJW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A1FFW6CJ14WSRU . I want those for smaller items like dressing, nuts, granola. While I was looking around on Amazon I also found these water bottles which I loved - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005447K7S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER. I liked them because they will fit in my lunch box and you get five of them, plus a tray, to put in the fridge so you can just grab it and go for the week. I tried out my redneck bento box yesterday and I LOVED IT! Portions were perfect and it allowed me to "snack" throughout the day. My four containers yesterday held - Hummus (which would have been better in a 2 oz container but they haven't come in yet) Crackers for the hummus (we only had the long butter crackers so I had to cut them in half to fit in the container but that worked well). Turkey cubes with a cut up cheese stick (I love that I can buy the turkey already cubed up at the grocery store) Yogurt Today my containers hold - Tuna fish Crackers again A mix of cut up cherry tomatoes and olives jello Making lunch has become more enjoyable and definitely less of a chore.

I did. Loved it. I wrote about it on my blog on this site.

Thank you for the link. I'll definitely check it out. Sadly no cost plus in my area Vicki147 - Good lunck with the surgery. Time is moving fast on my end so the 5 weeks postop have FLOWN by. I like being busy so that helps (dreading our summer break a bit only because I don't do well with downtine...at least eating wise. Hoping this year will be better since I can't eat a lot!).

I weighed myself this morning and I am at 222 lbs (from 246). That puts my total weight loss at 24 lbs (was sort of hoping to hit 25 lbs this week...oh well, maybe next week). I lost 10 lbs during my preop diet so that means I have been losing (after surgery) an average of 2.8 lbs a week. I've been experimenting with food this week (different types and different amounts). Glad to report that I get full very fast on solid food. The easiest on my stomach are still liquids (protein drinks but adding frozen fruit and sugar free syrups) and cream soups. I've been eating the Atkins peanut butter and chocolate bars (from Walmart) and those go down well (happy they have 19 grams of protein). I'm currently obsessed with finding small containers to make a bento box type lunch box. The smallest I've found so far has been 4 oz at Walmart. I ordered some Quest bars online (high protein bars) that were recommended by the blogger "The World According to Egg Face." If you type in sample in the code box you get free shipping. I'll report back on how they tasted. Clothes - I can wear 1x shirts with no problem (starting from 2x). I am in 18W pants (lots of my pants are super baggie now...yesterday I wore a 20W I got from Belks and they were distractingly baggie). I am probably an 18 1/2 (but they don't make that size!). Exercise - I walked two miles during Relay for Life on Friday and went to Zumba Flashmob practice on Sunday. I'm waiting until the 6 week mark to get into a regular exercise routine. Until next week!

I think that is awesome! I am losing slowly(or at least not as rapidly as I would like . You are ahead of me. I'm 24 lbs lost in 5 weeks and agree with what others have posted that slow or not it is coming off (whoo hooo!!)

Lost 2.4 lbs this week putting my total loss at 22.4 lbs. I am losing at approximately 3 lbs per week after surgery (I lost 10 lbs before surgery). Happy with my weight loss even though at times I wish I could lose a more impressive amount (i.e. 7-10 pounds per week). I was the same way when I was dieting prior to the sleeve so I know that is unrealistic (but it doesn’t stop me from dreaming my weight loss fantasy!). The last time I when I lost a significant amount of weight – 30 lbs – I basically stopped and gained it all back and then some. I don’t feel like that will happen this time with the sleeve (so for that I am grateful). I’m still not exercising regularly. I am doing a Flash Mob performance with the local YMCA on May 5th and went to practice last week and that kicked my butt (I looked like a sweaty drowned rat after practice…but I felt good). I know serious exercise isn’t supposed to be introduced until week 6 but I don’t consider Zumba too serious (at least not the way I do it) and I kept my impact low during practice (less jumping more fake jumping). My problem is that I wanted to chug water like no tomorrow and it was really hard to slow myself down. I am finding the same problem with eating. I was technically allowed to start adding mushies this week but I had pretty much been eating mushies since my DC trip. The problem is I haven’t really got the slow eating down yet (working on it). To give you an idea of what I am eating (and I am not hungry, just trying to get into a routine)… Early AM – 8 oz of water and my gummy vitamins (fiber, regular, and dissolvable Biotin tablet) Breakfast – Generally is a protein drink. Something with 15 to 20 grams of protein. Midmorning – more water Lunch – Soup (although today I am trying some tuna and crackers thing I purchased at Walmart) Midafternoon – Water Snack – Peanut butter portable cup that I got at Walmart More water or another protein drink (I like OJ with vanilla protein powder) Dinner – Not sure what I am having tonight but the last night two nights I had a Taco Bell fresco chicken soft shell taco (just took the filling out and ate it..GOOD!) and refried beans (not the whole cup but pretty much the top layer with the cheese and beans). Water after dinner Yesterday I had an Atkins chocolate/peanut butter bar with 19 grams of protein to see how I would tolerate it (it is 2.4 oz) and it was fine so I might be adding those into my meal/snack roation. I am suffering from really bad dry mouth during the night so I keep a water bottle by the bed (seems to be a side effect of surgery for me). The “bad” things I have had this week (lest anyone think I am some giant role model J. Saturday I had a class where they had a bunch of muffins and donuts. I took a Boston cream donut and ate the chocolate off the top and then ate the cream in the middle (none of the breading part). Saturday after class I went to a hibatchi grill with a girlfriend and I ordered miso soup, edamame (which we split) and an order of gyozas. I did ok with the soup (I had about ¼ of a cup). The half order of edamame was good. I probably should have stopped at 2 gyozas and taken the remaining four home instead of forcing all six gyozas (I felt HORRIBLE and had the burpies). Sunday went to my SIL’s house for dinner (which was fine – fish and steamed squash) it was the raspberry cream cupcake that made me a bit ill (again I would have been ok with just half instead of the full cupcake). Monday went out to lunch and had half a small cup of tomato basil soup (good), half a tuna salad sandwich (just eating the tuna out of it – no bread) and then I got a child’s cup of lemon custard ice cream (which didn’t make me sick or ill but probably wasn’t the best choice…thank good there was a lot of walking afterward to move it through) Tuesday was picture day at school and our photographer brought a ton of donuts. Did the chocolate and cream thing again but tried to eat the breading part. Got about a ¼ of it down and I could feel it sitting in my chest so I stopped. I’m not too worried about the bad things. I think a lot of it was a learning lesson for me and it was WAY less than what I would have eaten prior to the sleeve (normally I could have a full hibachi meal, four donuts and a waffle cone of ice cream…so I am considering this progress J). Friday I have Relay for Life with my school so I plan to be trekking around that track quite a few times. Sunday I have my Zumba practice. Looking forward to both for the exercise. People are noticing the weight loss in my face (my weight loss usually starts showing in the face, then boobs, stomach, and finally thighs). Nobody knows about the surgery. I am a solid 20W in clothes size now. My 22’s feel/look baggie. I nearly bought a pair of white capris at Dillards the other day ONLY because I fit into the 16W (they were cut pretty big) but I had to buy a pair of jeans (Levis size 20 and a bit snug but figure they will stretch out normally) and both were around $40 so I opted for the jeans only (which I needed). I think that is pretty much my week-in-review. Until next week….

Glad to hear from you (sorry to hear about your dad). Post and let me know how much you lost. I'm older so I think the weight is going to take its sweet time coming off of me (sadly). I have not throw up in the technical sense but I have had burps that brought up food (that I've had to spit out). I also love love love how easily I get full. Last night I had a small amount of mashed potatoes, with gravy, half a very thin porkchop, and maybe a teaspoon of veggies (that was too much food...my stomach was protesting).

I got sleeved with Dr. Kelly in late March. I wrote about my experience in my blog on this site. As far as money goes: I paid $5,500 for the surgery (which included airport pickup and drop off). I spent an extra night at the hotel (I would have been fine with the 2 nights but I wanted to make sure I was ok before I left Mexico so that was an extra $90) I bought some gatoraid and popsicles at the store across the street (no more then $10 for the 3 days I was there at the hotel. An earlier poster was correct. You won't be feeling up to drinking/"eating" anything else). I got my teethed whitened (although in retrospect I probably should have just waited until I got back to the states - see blog). That cost $200. I got my hair cut, dyed, styled, a pedicure, and my legs waxed for about $130 + tip (which is what I like to do on a "vacation" instead of shopping). Ana (coordinator) will take you down to the shopping area of TJ so if you want some spending money for that. I don't recommend it unless you want jewlery or like haggling. I would think you need to tip Ana for the extra time she drives you to the whitening and shopping. I spent $25 to check my bags on the way back (glad I did) and probably about $10 on juice and Water in the airport. I paid for airport parking when I got back ($50). Hope that helps. I highly recommend Dr. Kelly. I am about 5 weeks out and I couldn't be happier. I've experienced no real pain (except if I overeat and that is more like intense discomfort). Everything was handled well in Mexico and I left thinking that I would definitely have procedures done in another country again after that experience.

Sorry to hear about your dad. You are doing awesome on the weight loss and keeping the emotional eating in check. I don't know if I could be as strong.

My flight back was at 12:30 p.m. We left the hotel at 6:30 a.m. We spent 2.5 hours in line at the border (Monday morning). Our driver said that on Sunday's it can be upward of 4 hours.

A couple of things I have noticed that I am experiencing since surgery on March 28th. - My mouth dries out HORRIBLY at night. I wake up and my mouth is completely dry and I can't get the saliva to moisten it up. I've been keeping a water bottle by my bed. This has never happened before. I did look it up on line and dehydration is one of the possible causes. I am going to try drinking water closer to bed time (normally I avoid because of the bathroom issue) and see if that helps. Wondering if anyone has experienced that? - My husband stopped wearing earplugs to bed. He said since I have been back that I haven't been snoring as badly. He asked if they took out my "snoring glands" This is a happy side effect of surgery for me.

Mmm...hadn't thought about the protein shakes drying out my mouth. Will have to see if that is a contributing factor. Glad to hear the dry mouth is a common symptom (and hopefully will go away!).

I brought protein powder with me to Mexico (Dr. Kelly) but it turns out he recommends no protein until day 10 postop so it was not necessary to bring it. I bought an OJ and a water when I got through security and drank that on my flights home.

I stepped on the scale for my weekly weigh in this morning and I was a bit bummed that I only lost .8 pounds. I was hopping for something a little more "wow'ish". I am definitely not eating much - mostly liquids with protein so I am guessing that my body is going into that fun starvation mode where it wants to hold on to every ounce of fat it can. That puts my total weight loss (including preop) to 19.8 lbs. (10 pounds preop and 9.8 pounds in 3 weeks...which I guess isn't too shabby - 3 pounds a week average). I currently weigh - 226.2 (from a high of 246) What cheeses me off is that I weighed myself after my DC trip and I was down 1 lb so I gained .2 of a pound in three days (this is why I can NOT weigh myself everyday!) I am allowed to go into full liquid mode and mushies this week although I have been sort of introducing them this week. I experienced the burpies that people talk about and I need to slow down my eating (as in pausing longer before eating the next bite). I am happy to write that I can take larger drinks of water (before it was sip and count to 30 before the next sip). I'm still not exercising I'm not hungry and I need to develop some kind of eating routine to get all my protein and liquids in. Right now I have a slimfast high protien shake in the AM and OJ with protein for lunch and dinner is pretty much a crap shoot (jello, popsicles, broth). Water during the day. I have normal energy levels (which is good). My goal for next week is to try and develop a more consistant eating routine (i.e. 6-7 a.m. get 8 oz of water in, 8:30 - 9:30 get protein in, etc.). Some NonScale Victories - I can take my wedding ring off and on without a struggle. I was sitting at a 22W on pant size (really probably a 21 but they don't make that size ). I can now buy a 20W (I tried an 18W but they were very snug). Until next week!

I was given the opportunity to escort a group of fifth graders to Washington, DC this past week. I almost turned it down because I was only 2 weeks postop and I wasn't sure how I could mange the eating on the trip. My husband convinced me to go (it is not everyday I get an opportunity like that...I was replacing a sick teacher who couldn't make it.). My diet at this point is only clear liquids and protein. Dr. Kelly recommends not adding mushies until day 20. Lots of other people report eating food earlier so I wasn't hyper stressed. I was trying to keeping the operation quiet so I was trying to not draw too much attention to myself! I brought protein powder to add to OJ every morning and that is what I had for breakfast each morning. Lunch and dinner was a little tricky. Lunch the first day was provided by the bus company and I just took the turkey off the sandwich and chewed that up into mush and ate it. That went down fine but the cheese stick did not (harder to chew into mush). Our first dinner stop was a buffet. . I ate barely anything (enough to make it look like I was eating). My stomach did not do well with that. It just felt uncomfortably tight. Luckily we did a lot of walking that night through some monuments and it loosed up. The second lunch was really late (2 p.m.) and I ordered hummus at a greek place. It came with warm flat bread (red light food!). The hummus went down fine the bread not so much so. Dinner was at Medieval Times. I did the soup (and attempted a couple bites of the bread) and ate maybe a tablespoon of chicken (did pretty good with that). The next day we did lunch at the Smithsonian and I was really disappointed at my options. In hindsight I probably should have eaten a McD's smoothy. I ordered chicken nugget happy meal. When I say "ate it" I had four french fries and peeled the breading off the chicken nuggets (4 of them) and attempted to eat it. Those did not sit well in my tummy. Turns out that upstairs in the dining area I could have had a yogurt parfait (not advertised downstairs). Dinner that night was a the Pentagon Mall. I had wild mushroom soup (outstanding) and a bit of frozen yogert. Lunch on our last day was at the Golden Corral. Barely ate anything and stopped before feeling uncomfortable. I'd give myself a grade of "C" on my eating on the trip. I don't think anyone thought I was too odd for not eating more. Most people know that I have been trying to lose weight since the beginning of the year. We walked a ton on the trip. I am going to weigh myself tomorrow morning to see if there was any weight loss on the trip due to the exercise. I am happy to report that I barely felt hungry at all!!!! I'm going to back to liquids until my 20th day and then I'll stay with mushies.

I'm eating hummus now. I'm sticking to liquids pretty much for breakfast and lunch but attempting some "food" for dinner. Very small amounts though.

I was just sleeved by Dr. Kelly and I have no complaints!

I took a bunch of kids to DC on a class field trip and I was 2 weeks post op. I introduced mushies on that trip (2 weeks earlier then doctor recommended). I did fine but I was very cautious.

(Weighing in a day early because I am leaving for a trip tomorrow) Just finished week two. We were allowed to add in milk and protein drinks in at days eight and ten so that was the big “diet change” this week. Glad I worked those three days I got home from surgery. It kept me busy. I don't do well when I'm bored (I would say that 9 times out of 10 I eat because I am bored). I had a long Easter weekend and found myself battling head hunger which stemmed from being bored (watched tv, read a book, and took up knitting again to try and keep boredom at bay). I had to lie to my sister-in-law who invited us over for Easter brunch. Which is highly unusual (as in we never get invited to Easter brunch). I didn't tell anyone and I think she might notice if I didn't eat anything she cooked at the brunch! I've also been avoiding a friend who likes to eat out a lot. I've used lots of excuses from "I have to work" to "I just started my period". It will be easier when we both go back to work on Monday and stay busy with the school schedule. I told another friend that I've eaten out and spent too much money the last couple of months and I have made a vow not to eat out for one month. Most people can relate to that! My stomach still looks heavily bruised and I need to pull out some nail polish remover to get rid of the nasty tape residue on my tummy. I've not found any drop in energy. I used to be able to come home from work and take a nap easily but I'm not even tired. Bowel movements are still watery. Husband and I carefully got "jiggy with it". My enjoyment was slightly marred by being paranoid. His enjoyment not marred at all . I’ve been collecting South Beach diet recipes on Pinterest and had to stop at one point because it wasn’t helping my head hunger! I like the general South Beach diet better then Atkins because it allows for healthy carbs. I can easily swallow pills (have been able to since two days after surgery). Currently finishing up antibiotics from surgery and taking two stomach pills he gave us each evening. I also take my celexa in the am. I take a chewable multivitamin gummy, a fiber gummy, and dissolvable biotin pill (hair growth). I like the gummies because it gives me a sense of chewing. I weighed in this morning at: 227 which puts my total weight loss at approximately 18 lbs. (10 of it preop so 8 of it post op).