Joni

Just a thought, apologize when you're out of line, relax, and take it easy on yourself. You had a major surgery and are adjusting and recovering. Try to be kind to yourself and others. Come on this site to vent!

Just a thought, apologize when you're out of line, relax, and take it easy on yourself. You had a major surgery and are adjusting and recovering. Try to be kind to yourself and others. Come on this site to vent!

Just a thought, apologize when you're out of line, relax, and take it easy on yourself. You had a major surgery and are adjusting and recovering. Try to be kind to yourself and others. Come on this site to vent!

Absolutely, I totally understand what you're going through. I went out with hubby and suddenly really, really wanted a sandwich. 2 pieces of bread, meat, mayo, cheese, lettuce, tomato. I'm still on full liquids so that is totally out of question. I almost cried. Just remember, the weight is going to start falling off, making us feel better about it; and WE WILL be able to eat more in the future. I send you a sister in misery hug!

Unjury (order at their website) - chocolate splendor. Just like good old choco milk when mixed with skim milk.

Two months out from surgery tomorrow. Started out today with a 6.5 mile bike ride. Down 36 lbs. Clothes are getting way to big. Put on my panties yesterday and was sure I must have them on backwards, so I took them off and turned them around and then knew I had them on right the first time, lol. Look in the mirror and don't look smaller to me, but know I must be. Blood pressure is down to normal without medication, and blood sugar is down to normal.

That's the way you shake your body out of a stall, by changing your whole routine up! You already know you can't eat like that every single day, but I have days where I think OMG about my food choices. The key is to not let that become the routine.

What is most interesting and amazing to me is the huge disparity in advice from "experts". I've got some news which I have discovered after 11 post op months...very few docs OR nutritionists have actually had this surgery. And there is precious little research on post op symnptoms, only on outcomes. So the medical literature simply does not support, "Don't eat X or there will be dire consequences!" See what YOUR body tolerates and does not tolerate, taking tiny samples of foods you feel you MUST have. Some of us are really fond of diet sodas. I've been drinking it since post op day 3. I have some tummy issues whether or not I drink it, and no matter WHAT I injest, food or drink. I have lost 95 pounds in almost one full year. I feel pretty great and I'm back exercising regularly for the first time in years. The angst and resentment involved in "swearing off" even small amounts of the things we love are harmful, not helpful, to your ongoing goal of eating in a healthy and sensible way. Relaaaaax a little, folks. Be cautious and careful and eat tiny and often, and the weight comes off. At least all this has been true for me.

Yes! I am not sure if I make mine strong enough, but the citrus also helps with breaking down abdominal fat.

some cl is made with truvia now. but the best suggestion is just add more water to tame it down. And I agree with everything tasting too sweet immediate postop. Now at 7 wks postop, things are settled down for me like pecan above.

Hi Robin - I'm not the person to ask about tickers because I have a heck of a time with them. Every site seems to be different with how they do it. I've actually just started over like it was a new ticker. Maybe post the question somewhere else or do a search of forums on ticker update. Hey, I think I might just do that too!! Sorry I can't be of more help, but CONGRATS on the weight loss!

It's hard to believe it's been over 6 weeks already! It still feels surreal that I went to Mexico, that I flew on a plane and that I had this surgery. I am down 34.6 lbs. I've already gone from a size 22 jeans to a size 20. My starting weight was 242.2 lbs. That was the heaviest I had ever been. I was in denial for a long time that I was really that obese. I didn't have any health problems, so I didn't worry too much. However, my habits were starting to rub off on my 5 year old daughter and the light bulb went off. It was time for a change. I tried Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time. I think all of you know how that goes lol. Well, long story short I was fed up and finally made the decision to have surgery. I did lots and lots of research and decided on Dr. Garcia in Tijuana. Everything went great! My experience was pleasant. I never felt unsafe. I battled a lot of emotions for the first few weeks, but I feel pretty good about everything now. I'm starting to get compliments and that's awesome! To anyone pre-op, it's worth it!! Thanks for reading!

I have been tired too at 6 wks postop. I really have to push myself to do even simple things. For instance, went grocery shopping today, and it's a good thing my husband was with me. I got so tired I had to sit down while he checked out. I was exhausted and dragged myself to the car. For me, I think I need to start really exercising to build stamina. One thing, does your vitamin contain iron? It should.

My psychiatrist at the psych eval recommended 3 books for me to read (since I love to read) in order to help me get the most information possible to support me pre and post surgery. If anyone else is interested here they are:

Weight Loss surgery for Dummies (I am sure a lot of you have already read this book)
The End of Overeating: Taking control of the Insatiable American Appetite by David A. Kessler, MD (This is more just an educationonal book on why we eat the way we do, why we dont seem to have the control over our eating sometimes to stop eating the bad foods. Very interesting and a good read) I found this book on ebay for $3.75!
The Emotional First+Aid Kit: A Pratical Guide to Life After Bariatric Surgery by Cynthia L. Alexander, PsyD (This is for those of us who may need a few tools on how to handle things after surgery. It helps us to prepare mentally before surgery and gives us some tools to help)

Just thought I would share. I think people should be well informed before having any kind of surgery.
Nichole

There's another one I love- its called pouchfriendly on YouTube, so worth looking up

Sign up for myfitnesspal.com and start charting your food now, so you can see where problems lie in regards to carbohydrates and see if you can get your 80 grams of Protein in. Start charting your Water, no harm in working up to that 64 ounces now.
Start walking now. There is no time like the present. I had a six month program I had to be on before my preop shake and surgery is Monday.
I lost almost 70 pounds in that time. I made the choice to start now so I will be in better shape to use the sleeve.
Learn to not drink with your food and to wait 1/2 hour after you eat. Wean off Pop, caffeine in advance.
Learn to chew chew chew chew your food. Learn to eat your meat first, vegetables second, starches & carbs third.
Realize the sleeve is a tool it's not a cure all. Once you get the sleeve, it doesn't mean you aren't addicted to food anymore. Start working on that in advance by adding more protein.
I am no different than anyone else here, I have an issue, but I made the choice to use my time wisely. I didn't use the time to binge during the pre-approval stage as though I will never get to eat again. I used the time to face the truth. If I over ate I didn't beat myself but I made myself accountable by seeing on paper what my problem is.
Everyone is different. I have gone from 200 - 300 for years now and I've been on every diet known to mankind. Making yourself accountable is the only way to succeed. Not putting blame on yourself or others for overeating, I overate because so and so ticked me off, or I was sad. No excuses. It's between you and yourself.
That's the stuff I learned over the past 7 months waiting for my surgery on Monday. Everyone is responsible for themselves and their actions, I just want to succeed and I spent the time getting my mind and body mentally and physically ready for this challenge.
Good luck to you!
ps - I understand I come off like a know it all sometimes, because I know what is right for me, it may not be right for you, but sometimes the proof is in the pudding you know...70 pounds pre-op is pretty darn good, and I feel that if more people used the opportunity wisely and took responsibility for themselves they would feel as proud of themselves as I do. I think I'm worth it, and it's a good feeling to finally think I'm worth something!

One thing, I made a "countdown" calendar. I inclulded my weight each day. I put down my emotions and if it was a really hard day or not. I took great joy in X'ing out the days as they went by.
Make sure you take your measurements before surgery too. Think about your liver. If it is not shrunk enough with preop diet, they will not do your surgery, but a couple screw ups is not going to ruin it. That's a good incentive for staying on track. No one's perfect. Don't be too hard on yourself. You CAN do this. Hold your head up and put this behind you. Move on and go forward! Soon your sleeve day will be here!!

Also that your individual progress and tolerances will be different from everyone else's. That's okay. A lot of folks freak out if they can/can't do or eat this or that, or when they hit the 2- to 3- to 4-week stall. Remind them that it's a process, not an instant solution, and that there will be ups, downs, and plateaus, and it's all okay!

I agree with Delta. I have some issues, trials, problems, etc., but my goal is the same. To lose weight, be healthier, hopefully improve my life in more ways than one, and feel good about how I look and feel. The sleeve is my answer, and at 4 wks postop, I don't regret it at all. The only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

I agree with Delta. I have some issues, trials, problems, etc., but my goal is the same. To lose weight, be healthier, hopefully improve my life in more ways than one, and feel good about how I look and feel. The sleeve is my answer, and at 4 wks postop, I don't regret it at all. The only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

I say GO FOR IT!!!
Who cares if there are people out there that aren't supportive....one click of the "delete friend" will take care of that. I have absolutely no space in my life for unsupportive judgemental people.
You did this to give yourself a new life....this was not an easy way out and you should be very proud of yourself.
Tell the world girl and best of luck to you!!!

I agree with Delta. I have some issues, trials, problems, etc., but my goal is the same. To lose weight, be healthier, hopefully improve my life in more ways than one, and feel good about how I look and feel. The sleeve is my answer, and at 4 wks postop, I don't regret it at all. The only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

Try adding some splenda.

I took a workshop called "The Hunger Within" and what you're doing Lissa is exactly what was recommended. The example was Oreos. You love Oreos and in the grocery store you want them bad. Get the package in your cart, put it back, repeat. We were taught, okay if you have to have them - they come in a small pack of 6 - buy them and enjoy the hell out of them while you're eating them. Take your time. Then you don't have that big package sitting at home waiting for you to come back again and again to it. And you've had your fix. The little single serving size bags of cheetos or chips would be perfect for that.

If you must snack, make it something that's good for you. However, chips and the like are sliders for many of us. We have to learn to control those Snacks. They aren't bad in and of themselves, but we have to be able to say No or at least limit the portion.
Cheetos are my nemesis. If I really REALLY want them, I buy a single serving bag and I enjoy every last chee in the bag. Then I don't allow myself to have any more for at least a month. This keeps me from going off the deep end and sitting in a corner like a heroin addict eating cheetos and screaming "Mine, all mine!!!"