Chicago1962

Did I say many are brand new with tags? Yup!

I have a whole woredrobe of great clothes I need to get rid of. Contact me and I'll send you pics.

What about your primary doctor? Do you have one you trust you can talk to and get a referral from? Your primary has your overall health in mind - not just the surgery - so he/she may have insight and ideas and will hopefully go to bat for you. I agree with everyone - you have to own your health and find out what is going on. What state are you in? Maybe put a note on the main page that you need a referral for your state. Praying for you now - and asking God to heal you...

I am 4 months out and eat about 1200 calories a day - sometimes a bit more - sometimes a bit less - if that gives you a reference at all...

Wow - I can't imagine this as an outpatient surgery! This is MAJOR surgery. I was in the hospital two nights and very ready t go home after that. I took two weeks off - though due to boredom I worked from home after a few days.

Why do we compare ourselves so much? We are our own worst enemies. Each of us has a different body - and each of us will lose at our own pace. I pray I am thankful for every pound - no matter how long it takes. We are in this for the long haul. This is a new beginning. Our negative self-talk got us here. We have got to fight it now or this won't work for us. FIGHT FOR YOURSELF, Cantwait! Fight the urge to compare and celebrate what you have accomplished. 32 pounds is GREAT!!!! You are doing great!

Yeah I've read a lot about constipation on here. Take the meds and keep things moving! (smile) I feel for ya! Not fun!

I make my own chili. I use a super small custard cup to dole out my serving. I can eat that cut but barely. 4 months out.

Perhaps that is true for you - but not for all of us. I lost 30 pounds pre-op eating a SW grilled chicken salad from McD's almost every day. <400 calories with dressing. I get an ice cream cone one or two times a week now. <200 calories. Do I think we should visit McD's daily or indulge in cheese burgers and fries? No way! But our goal is to live in moderation, health and sanity,,, and I didn't get fat on grilled chicken salads. We need to use wisdom when choosing what to eat, no matter where we are at: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/nutritionfacts.pdf So very thankful to be alive today!!!! Amy from Chicago

On Saturday, 10/20/12, I participated in my first 5K ever. Less than five months ago I could barely walk from my car to my house - and now I just walked 3.2 miles. I am so humbled, so thankful, so grateful. Why me? Why not me!!!! It's my turn - and I am choosing life! The walk wasn't easy. I don't think I've ever walked that far before. I wanted to stop three times - and thought maybe I'd never get up so I just kept going. I ended up cheering other walkers on (this was the American Diabetes Association Walk for Life in Chicago). Cheering others on helped me forget how tired I was. How much my legs and feet wanted a break. But this wasn't so much about legs and feet - this was about my heart and my mind. For most of my life I have been choosing things to lead to death (food, inactivity, isolation). Walking that walk - FINISHING that walk was all about choosing life and health and new beginnings! That's really what the surgery was all about. Sure weight - but in so many ways it's been more about taking a stand and finally fighting for myself! Fighting for my life. And giving myself - my body - a fighting chance! I turned 50 three weeks ago. I'd say October has been a pretty good month for me! What are you fighting for? What “clicked” for you in this process and made you finally stand up for yourself and your life? What have you been doing that you are super proud of? Thanks for being there … I mean here!!!! Amy (in Chicago)

I know it feels like you are starving - but this is the time to learn that what your brain says isn't always true. You have 1/4 of a tummy now. Hunger is different now. For you it may be more intense - so I trust that it feels like you are starving - but - if you are drinking what your doctor told you to and following he weekly plan, you are fine. This is not a walk in the park. This is a new chance at life. Turn off the TV and any food commercials. Focus on telling yourself why you did this. Pray. Get your mind off food and hunger and worry. Be patient. You can do this. Popsickles are great. Lite pudding. Lite yogurt. Water with flavoring. Napping. Car rides. Etc. You won't die from the sensation of being hungry - head hunger or real hunger - you can make it through. You deserve this!!!! You can do it!!!!

I eat salads no problem. I am 4.5 months out. Started eating salads at about 3 months. I do lettuce, cheese, cottage cheese, sometimes carrots/celery, and light dressing. Feel great - down 102 pounds. Everyone's tummy is a bit different. Follow your doctor's recommendations and don't rush anything. Take good care of yourself and treat your tummy with love! (smile)

Weight before surgery: 397 Date of surgery: 6/12/12 Current weight: 295 Goal weight for competition: 293 Weigh in every Sat

Thank God for liquids and popsickles!

Hi Bryan - It's wierd for me - I look forward to food - but then when I start eating it and don't feel good after a few bites there is a let down. I'm getting used to it - but there is a grieving process for sure. You will learn what you can and can't eat - and how much you can eat. Tasting food doesn't change, meaning you can taste anything and have one bit, but you can't overeat like you used to. At least I can't. But food is finding a totally different place in my life. I'm moving so much more - and I have so much more energy that I'm able to get out and do things instead of eat. As for caffein, I have it very, very sparingly. Bryan - this is worth it! Seriously - I have no regrets at all!!!!

Shell - you are so normal! You are letting go of what has been your #1 way of making it through life! We are addicts - and addictions don't die easily. That said - you must start again, and again, and again. The more you lose now - the better for your surgeon and you when you have the surgery. Take that very, very seriously. This is how I got through my three weeks of liguid - I DIDN'T! LOL I didn't do 100% liquid. For two weeks I ate this: Breakfast - big ole protein shake; Lunch - diet yogurt and protein drink; Dinner - 1 McDonald's SW grilled chicken salad with ranch OR another big ole protein shake!. Five days before the surgery I went to all liquid and yogurt. I lost 30 pounds. I don't think I could have done it alone! I had friends and family checking on me - lovin on me - helping me get my mind off food. And I prayed a lot. And wrote every single bite I ate (or drank) in a journal. You can do this! Make a plan you can do - and make it workable for you! But - to be honest - it's time to let go of pizza and other really unhealthy stuff. Cry through it if you have to - but it's time. You will probably be able to have it again three or four months after surgery - and you can make it till then. Your addiction is lying to you. You can do this! You are worth it! We are here to help you! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!

You can't really get him on board. He has to do that. You can help but he has to work on his own issues. Just keep being honest and keep the communication going. You will go through quite a process as you move toward surgery, have surgery, start to recover, and continue on your journey. You will change - a lot - in ways you have no idea about right now. He will change too. I say keep talking to him, lovin him, letting him walk his journey and you concentrate on getting yourself well. You can't control his recovery or his being on board - you can only control you. I'm super proud of you for taking this courageous step! Way to go!!!!!

I agree! This is a huge victory! Way to go! Nice job taking good care of yourself, isajck!

I agree! This is a huge victory! Way to go! Nice job taking good care of yourself, isajck!

Way to go, James! Super proud of you!

Here are the protein parts. Thanks for the article, iggy. Very helpful! Failing to Meet Protein Recommendations Because protein is an essential nutrient, consuming too little can have serious consequences. The continued health of your cells and muscles -- including your heart and the lining of your digestive system -- depend on adequate protein intake. Additionally, you can lose muscle mass or suffer muscle weakness if you don't consume enough protein. Fatigue, slowed or halted growth, weakening of the immune system and eventually even death can occur if you consistently fail to consume enough protein. Protein Protein is an essential nutrient -- and one of the three macronutrients you need for survival, along with carbohydrates and dietary fat. Protein provides your body with amino acids, which help activate enzymes and hormones, and repair and build cells and tissues, such as skin and muscle. The Institute of Medicine recommends that you consume .8 g of protein for every kilogram of bodyweight each day. To find your weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/517511-caviar-protein/#ixzz29WO9inZ8 Above and Beyond Protein Recommendations In some cases, a high protein intake can be beneficial. Research published in the April 2011 issue of the "Nutrition Journal" indicates that high-protein diets promote increased fat and weight loss, as well as lower blood pressure, more than diets lower in protein. However, it can also be detrimental, as MayoClinic.com notes that following a high-protein diet may cause or worsen liver or kidney problems. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/517511-caviar-protein/#ixzz29WO3uzQX

After my surgery I asked what happened to my tummy? Where did it go? What were they doing to it? etc. I didn't want it in a jar or anything - but it was wierd to think they could just take a part of me and never let me know what happened to it. I get what you are saying. Your tummy has served its function. You can let it go now. Other parts of your body will be healthier without it - so it's worth it...

Hey Cosmo - I know the paperwork is freeky! You have to go in with both eyes open and know the risks. This is major surgery and not something to take lightly. It's ok to be scared. It's a reality check. Are you ready for this? Really, really ready? This may sound wierd - but I had to come to the place where I was ok to die on the table if that happened. The surgery was worth that much to me. Did I think I was going to? Not really. The odds are so in our favor and so few people die from this. But I did have to be ok with that. I also had to feel 100% confident in my surgeon. Do you? That helps a lot. He told me point blank that he had not lost anyone yet and he sure didn't plan on me being the first! I loved that. He gave me a lot of confidence. Finally - I personally don't want you to let your fear rule this decision. Wisdom is different than fear. Wisdom means you did your research, you understand how important this is to your health, you trust your surgeon, you are willing to deal with the diet and Vitamins and meds afterward, and you are ready to do this!!! I was ready!!!! Scared a bit - sure - but I was ready. If you are ready - you can do this!!!! You will have peace in the midst of the paperwork! Keep talking about it. Make a wise decision. On a final note - I have no reflex at all - I can eat just about anything in moderation - i do take daily meds and vitamins - and I have absolutely NO REGRETS!!!!

This was SUCH a great question! Last night I was reading Eating Mindfully: How to end mindless eating & enjoy a balanced relationship with food by Dr Susan Albers. I'm only on chapter three so I can't recommend the book yet - but I shared this because even after four months and 100 pounds lost, I am very aware that I must continue to deal with my food addiction and certainly not think I am home free by any means. You are right that our tiny tummies are just a tool. My sister had surgery a few years ago and her team told her that those who have surgery get about 18 months to get their &%$# together! (smile) Meaning - now is the time to deal with this and to learn new habits. They told her that those who develop healthy habits with food, exercise, stress management, etc. in those 18 months are likely to make it for the long run! I want to be one of them!!! You do too!!!! You may notice that you may not crave the same foods you did before your sleeve. I have very little desire for sugar which was always my thing - but instead crave crunchy stuff now. I struggle the most at work and at night - which is really the majority of my day! (grrrrr) I take Breakfast with me, I definitely eat a super healthy lunch, and I grab a skinny starbucks when I want a filler in the afternoon. At night I get my Protein in and then I sometimes nibble on diet popcorn or rice cakes. And I drink as much as possible - Water, diet tea, etc. You can do this. You've lost weight before and made good choices... it's just now you have a fighting chance to make it long term!!! I will say that I try to be very good to my tummy. I know that sounds weird - but I am so thankful for my surgery and try very hard to eat good things and care for my tummy. So far it's worked. I am amazed at the weight loss - and oh so humbled! I too am single andwork like a dog. You will find the things you need to do to get yourself through the stress. I'm learning to go to a walk - even for 5 minutes. You could jump on here if you need help in a stressful work situation - or when you are feeling down. We are all behind you!!!!!! You can do it!!!!!

I could not take pills until four weeks post op - except crushed - so check the internet for a liquid form if your doctor recommends the same thing. I take Nature's Bounty, but I just started - so I'm anxious to see what brands others recommend!