Angelmom

People pointing the fingers need to look in the mirror.

I'm a native too, and I have more than a Master's degree...so you really can't turn it around. I was not referring to the subject matter of education, rather the rest of of it. Really, learn to think, and leave me alone, because you really don't know what you are talking about.

Sounds like you need some new friends, maybe?...especially when they cut to "demoting" you to being female for having the procedure.

YOU are the people forgetting that I am entitled to my own feelings on whether or not I would want to go to Mexico or any other country besides the U.S. and why I think things are worth it or not, etc. I always stand on principal, and live with the consequences of what is happening to our nation every day. That is part of my life, and I am allowed to express my opinion anytime I want. That is the American way! It's too bad you are so offended...and that's another thing that is wrong with this country...too many people offended all the time...many of them illegal aliens and anchor babies or do-gooder liberals who are blinded by their college education. Grow up and stop the baggering.

I have very dry, super thin, curly/wavy hair, that falls out in a men's balding pattern. It really stinks! It's pretty long, so you can't tell all that much at first.

Mine got thinner and stayed thinner because of the hundreds of pounds I have gained and lost over the years. First, I use Pert or Prell to wash out the oils that seem to pile up so much on my hair, and then I use Nioxin Shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo can be used quite sparingly, and the conditioner, I largely put right in the front on the top of my head and spread it out from there onto the scalp. I massage a little, let it sit on top of my head and then use Herbal Essence pink bottle...color me simple I thin it is...on the ends of my hair and work to the top, and let it all sit while I do the rest of the shower. Sometimes, instead of that conditioner, I will use Pantene's conditioner that they have for Black women, or I will follow one up with the other, then rinse it. After that, especially now, I will use Ion's shine oil...just a teeny bit on the ends where it's really in need of care, and work it up...but not too much toward the scalp because it's an oil that will make me have to wash my hair again. I also use an Ion cream for curly hair...it's a white tube with green writing....and only a little...it isn't greasy and makes the curls pop more. Sometimes I spray my hair a little after the shower with Johnson and Johnson detangler after I put the Ion oil on the ends, and that helps too...especially after being layed up and not able to take as many showers...the hair gets knotted up a bit.

I also bought a product called Foltene from a discount store. I don't know if it works, but it can't help and isn't greasy, so I use that too.

I always wanted to try that Wen. However, Morroccan oil and Argon oil absolutely do nothing for my hair but grease it up. Your hair doesn't look too fine, so maybe it will work for you, but if it is fine, I'd buy a sample and try that before making the investment on a larger bottle.

I'm not your sister, and you are wrong. I don't need your redeeming, and as I told you in the personal email I sent back to you in response to your scathingly inappropriately assumption filled message to me. The versuses you site are not relevant, and you need to keep it related to the topic.

I understand. I heard about those places that are like a spa. I saw something about a woman who had some form of cancer who went to Pakistan or somewhere like that, and the place was like a vacation....unlike the treatment I got after my procedure. One of the rounds doctors tried to send me home the next day. I refused, and ended up there for four nights, and should have been there longer...or they were going to put me in a nursing home. Even if that was to be the case...I would never want to risk problems in another country no matter how spa-like it is. You're braver than me!...but wouldn't super nice treatment after surgery in this country be sweet!

Anyone from NE Pa? I'd be interested in starting a little local group.

My surgery was exactly 28 days ago, and my care at Geisinger hospital in Danville, Pennsylvania was less than stellar! I thought I was going to die between the poor care, being left in supine position in the hallways for hours with semi-collapsed lungs, and the massive overwhelming pain that could not be controlled. My situation was so bad.....I still cry when I think about it, and I am in the process of writing a scathing letter to the hospital nursing coordinator...and maybe seeing a lawyer. I am still in pain and coughing crap up from that procedure...and the lack of care I got afterward. But...when I read your story, I feel fortunate. Personally, I would never go to Mexico to have any procedure...Mexico and Hispanics are tearing our country apart, and I would never want to give them money to continue to do so, or whatever else...and those are my feelings and beliefs on the situation regarding Mexico...but...I am going to have to agree with you 1000% about having someone with you at ALL times in case of poor care, as in my case, and as in the case of complications like you had. My daughter had to tell the nurses what to do, and she's just a child. I could go on and on about it...but you are so right!

Is it worth it? I have lost 35 pounds in 28 days....and 34 of them were in about 20 days. The 35th pound fell today. Ask me in one year if it's worth it. At this point, even 35 pounds is NOT worth it. This procedure should be an absolute LAST resort.

God bless and keep you, and all of us, as you/we recover.

Yoplait Greek 100 calorie yogurt with less than 15 grams sugar is a good one. I like lime and cherry best...but the cherries are not to be eaten...I spit them out, or pick them out.

I was told that you can have any Protein, really, as long as it is moist, and chewed down to nothing. I started with an egg cooked in a little butter--that's how I like it. Then, tuna fish with olive oil may. Tuna goes into my sleeve with no problems, and tastes good...but I still don't feel like eating. I have had chicken breast, and Healthy Ones smoked turkey breast, and a little bit of ham, too. Tonight, I'm going to try taco meat. As long as you chew it down to bits...as if it came from a blender, you'll be fine.

Some people can have cream of wheat, I read, but I am not allowed that because it's a starch....I wouldn't recommend it, either, because it swells and can hurt your stomach. You need the Protein.< /p>

Try to stick to Protein shakes. I liked the GNC Total Lean vanilla and strawberry, and the Carnation sugar free chocolate packets with skim--which gives me a lot of pains in the intestines now, and I can't have it. You can also have Yoplait Greek 100 calorie yogurts....don't have anyting with more than 10-15 grams sugar...and that greek yogurt is really good.

I think most of us have enlarged livers...and fatty livers, as well. You're not alone.

I planned to have my surgery June 7th, and I was on the preop diet for a week or so when the insurance denied me. We appealed and I had my surgery September 6th. That's something to consider regarding planning...the beginning of the new school year was NOT the ideal time for me. You may have to take what you can get.

The above posters are right on. I would just add that doing regular exercise, such as walking a mile twice a day will also work wonders for your recovery. It has for me. In fact, I have retained my muscle, and find that the one thing that has been truly strong with no problems has been my legs. I can see my muscles that I built underneath all that fat...and find that getting back to walking is easy...except for the pain I have in the belly that increases when I'm done working out...but then the next day I get stronger.

I am one of those people who had thee worst pain and experience of my life regarding physical pain. I was illprepared for that kind of pain. For me, I wish I had prepared for the worst. I thought it was going to be smooth, which I based on other people's descriptions of their experiences. Now, I advise people to prepare for the absolute worst. Anything better is a gift.

The doctor told me that my insides are "in shape" and that I did great during the procedure!...which they attributed to my exercise...exercise that was "mild" by-and-large. I have pretty bad asthma, as well....and boy, am I happy that I worked out. I know it helped.

Those were big issues for me beforehand, because I was worried about anesthesia with my asthma, apnea, and palpitations...plus, my brother coded on the table during his surgery and actually died. That was apparently the easiest part for me, though, according to the surgeons.

At least I did what I could to prevent as many problems as possible. That's what was on my mind the most.

What's on your mind? What are you worried about?

I guess I'm fortunate that I don't throw up. I do have trouble getting enough Protein in, for sure...but then I have pains in my stomach when I eat an amount closer to what I should be eating. Once I eat, I don't want anything else. Honestly, I could skip days and not eat at all, and be perfectly happy about it. The thing is, I want to heal, and I want my hair to stay in my head so I work at eating. I do get hungry, but sometimes I won't bother eating until it's really annoying...which happens later in the evening when I didnt' have enough to eat during the day. I won't be able to really sleep until I put something in my stomach.

Not sure about the drinks, but you can indulge a bit of food as long as the rest of the time you stick with it...make sure to exercise off anything you do eat, though.

My understanding is that most people will gain 10-12 lbs once they get to their goal and change the dieting behaviors a bit....seems like you got close to your goal and added some normal things in....but a bit too soon. I'd say just cut the carbs, increase some activity, recommit to weighing yourself daily--to watch for creep-ups, works for me--and counting your calories, again. You can do it.

I'd like to get 10-12...maybe 15 lbs below my ideal weight...so when I gain the 10 lbs that are normal, back, I will be right at my ideal planned weight.

Insurances often won't take the family doctor discussions as enough to meet requirements. I went through an extensive program and before that I had done the doctor visits with a nutritionist there...but it was not the same.

I would suggest finding a bonafide program that deals directly with bariatrics and start over....a full out program is much better as far as preparing you for this, than a pcp....they really don't have the know-how to support you, guide you, and prepare you.

Plus, that doctor doesn't sound too swift....what sort of weight will that doctor hold on your behalf, even if they find the person?

Have you tried cold water....may be soothing to your belly and help with swelling a little bit.

I love to sew and had a business at one point, until 9-11 happened and it wall went downhill from there. I had the same maniquin, but sold it becuase you cannot put pins in it...and so I hardly used it. Instead, I just know my own body size and try things on often...gets the job done well.

I knew someone who had constrictures at the top and bottom of her esophagus, and food would go up and down between the two spots until finally, one day, she inhaled a piece of steak that was stuck. A trip to the ER, and a scope revealed the problems.

I wouldn't mess around with it...go ask to be scoped...that might be the best thing to look in there right now. I say to ask for it, that way maybe the'll be inclined to do something versus just tell you to eat smaller bites or something.

GNC Total Lean pre-made vanilla and strawberry are ok enough. I can't stand the EAS shakes that someone else loves because they are really whey-tasting. The GNC Total Lean ones aren't. If you go to GNC, you can buy it, try it, and return it if you don't like it. I also do not suggest buying that club card until you are sure you will continue with those shakes, because if you go to return it, you won't get your $15.00 back that you'd have spent on the gold card. Not worth losing $15. You could always take them back and get the card and rebuy them if you really wanted to.

Perhaps after you reach your goals, you can treat yourself and ask the restaurant to go easy on the oil, and eliminate the salt....since they make it fresh. Don't do it now, while you are reaching your goals. It will just slow you up...and no one want that.

I, too, wish for some food...I really do, but I'm not allowed food, yet, and when I am, I have to be careful...I really want to stick to the Protein shakes and get all the weight off before eating foods.

I wonder if just a bite would fill you up, as so many people say on here, that once you eat actual food...you cannot eat as much as you can drink of a Protein shake.

That's awesome!!!! Your achievement gives me hope and motivation...staying power. I like it. I see that you haven't smoked in 121 days...that's awesome, too! Good for you, and those around you. I hate smoke in doorways of gas stations and grocery stores...festivals, etc. I just think that's wonderful that you quit!!!

I realized just a bit ago, that I have less than 100 lbs to lose....99lbs!!!! Granted, I picked 160 as a midpoint of where I'd really like to be and where I was once before. At 189, the last time I had lost 63lbs....I was happy...then I gained it and more back. I was 165 or so when I got home from the Army, years ago, and that was ok...but when I was my thinnest, and felt the healthiest...I was 145-150. I had starved myself down to 138 one time, when I was going in the Marines...but honestly, I was sick as a dog and if I ate anything, I could not maintain that weight. I remember thinking I wanted to eat a houseplant that was in one of the offices I was in at that time, because I could not maintain that horribly small weight and eat. So, anyway, about 160 would be sweet. I'm just going to keep working at it....just like you are!

Those going in should not figure that the easy road some people seem to have will be your road. Prepare for the worst pain of your life, mentally get set so you can deal with it, and then if you don't have that, you're lucky and it will be a gift. Know, and understand what you could be getting into, because I listened to all the people saying how pretty smooth it was, etc...and I had the exact opposite...and my case is really the norm.

I lost 2 more pounds this morning! Sweet! That's 48 lbs down total, and 28 down since the surgery.

I would advise everyone who is getting the sleeve to expect the worst as far as pain goes.....because if you expect hell, and get something better, it will be a gift and you won't be blindsided with pain that makes you think you're dying...as was my case.