Susie in Lima

No help from me but you did get my curiosity up with the title. Cant wait to hear what this might be! haha!

Yeah those GasX strips are fantastic!!!!! You will be able to drink and not think as much as time goes on. Just be patient and before you know it you will be drinking without thinking. haha that rhymed! And when you feel like that, kind of like you ate or drank to fast or too much, walk some too! Walking really helps get that uncomfortable feeling gone quicker PLUS you get a little exercise in! Its a two-fer! Have a super day!

My nutritionist always shows me a cup (a coffee mug) and tells me that it can hold about the same amount as my stomach. She states that I should try to fill it each time I eat. She also says that it is a game as well, kind of like tetris, I need to chew my food really well so it will fill all the spaces of my stomach. If i eat too fast and too big of bites I can potentially leave empty spaces. With things like oatmeal, I can eat more because they do fill in nicely without much chewing. Just stick with what your nutritionist says and you should be fine! Have a super day!

Almost 9 months out and I am almost at goal. Hoping to never go back!

Yep you will! I am almost 9 months post op and drink normally, sometimes even gulping! It will come, promise! Just keep drinking!

It will be well worth it! Keep the end goal in mind! You can do it!

Well although it hasnt happened to me, I know that this could easily be a scary time. I hope that you are able to just relax and take comfort in knowing that the professionals know what they are doing. I am so glad that they caught it and didnt send you home yet. Just concentrate on that new body and new life! Saying a prayer for you and hoping that you are comforted and at ease today.

Yeah walking helps a lot but you just have to wait it out. UGHHH! The funny thing is, those times that I have done that have helped me develop new habits because I NEVER want to feel that way again! Hope you are feeling better by now!

Yes walking is a big help! Also if you can get some GasX strips that really helped me for my gas pain! Just keep remembering that it is temporary and that you are on your way DOWN that hill! Keep up trying to drink as much as you can and follow the doctors instructions. There will be some trying times but keep telling yourself that it is all going to be worth it! You can do it!!!! Good luck on your new journey!

You will be able to drink more and more each day. In the next few days you will be able to drink a lot more liquids and you might begin think that you are messing up or that your tummy is bigger than it should be. Dont worry, once you start eating solids, all that will stop. You will begin to feel restriction then. Just go ahead and concentrate on getting in what you can and following your drs instructions. You are heading in a good direction! Just relax and do what the dr says and you will be fine! Thinking good thoughts for you!

Love the pics and love the new attitude! You look great!!!!

Hey there, I have Cigna and they took care of everything for me. I was really impressed. I guess it depends on what coverage you have but with my insurance plan, they pay 100% of everything. The only thing I paid for was a thermometer?? and some hygiene set (soap, shampoo etc). I had mine done in Peru south america because this is where I live right now but Cigna was prompt with payment and with approving my surgery. Make sure you submit everything that they ask for so you wont be delayed. If you decide to have this done, I can say that I have not been disappointed! I have been Obese and then lost to a normal weight only to shoot back up to Obese again over and over again. I can, like your cousin, lose the weight, but I can NOT keep it off! The sleeve has been a great tool for me. Now, how I choose to use it is up to me! If I choose to abuse it, I could make the same mistakes again and again but I am choosing to do the right things. (although I do screw up from time to time I just get back up and slap myself on the hand and start over) Hope this helps! Take care!

It WILL get better. Walking alot will help with the gas pain and also if you can get some GasX strips they helped me. Just progress with your liquid intake little by little! It will all come! Hoping you feel better soon!

Mine didn't "hurt" it just kinda felt weird and took my breath away but it was so quick. Dont worry about it though, like I said, it was over almost before it started. I cant really remember how long it took the incisions to heal sorry, but mine did heal well without any issues and just tiny scars remain that are getting harder to see each day!

It will all start to work its way out and you will get into a routine and not have to think about it as much. It is a process and even at 8 months out, I still may wait too long to eat and then I tend to forget and eat too fast and then feel uncomfortable for a while after eating. Hey, it is better than eating a WHOLE lot more and feeling yucky then. Just give yourself time. This new stomach is a tool and you just have to get used to using it correctly. You can do it!

Congrats!

Happy Birthday!!! I promise you will be there pretty soon! It will happen! Dont fret! Easier said that done right? Be encouraged though that this will be your LAST birthday over 200!!!! When you do hit the 200 mark, it will just be another day to celebrate. Enjoy your day with your hubby!

No worries, once you get to solids, you will definitely feel restriction. Lots of good weight loss afterwards too. Just concentrate on getting in your liquids right now. Before you know it you will be taking a few bites and getting full! Happy day to you!

No worries! There is no way that you will be stuck there forever (although right now it feels like it) That 299 is well on its way!!

Congrats! May it be the first of many many more Fist Pumping victories!!

I am 8 months out and I have always had very very thin hair. At 5 months out, I did start losing lots of hair BUT although it was noticable to me, no one else noticed, not even my husband. I used biotin sublingual tablets that dissolve under my tongue every day, I tried my best to make sure that I ate all my protein each day and I started using Garnier Fructis Fall fight Biotin Shampoo and conditioner per a suggestion from someone on the board here. It really did help. At 7 months my hair has stopped falling out and I have new hair growing in. My dr said that if I lost a ton of hair that he was going to take a pic because out of everyone of his 500 vertical sleeve patients that I would have been the first. Anyway, your body will be changing so much and you will hopefully happy with the progress that although the hair loss might concern you at first, you will find that it is sooooo worth it! Hope things go well for you!.

I am almost 8 months out. Down a little over 80 pounds with about 20 more pounds to go. The second pic was taken this past weekend.

I am about 8 months out and just eat slowly and enjoy the conversation and fellowship and then I quietly ask the server to put the rest of mine in a to-go box as soon as I am finished and it never has caused any questions. The funny thing is, I should have been more uncomfortable in eating and cleaning my whole plate before when people who eat normally don't eat the way I used to. (of course there are always those naturally skinny people who can eat their whole plate full and a desert and appetizer and never gain a pound but I am talking about people who eat normal portions) Anyway, just eat slowly and enjoy the company you are keeping. It all ends up with you feeling normal eventually, at least it has for me. And the bonus is that you have leftovers for later and that means that you have saved money too! You are going to do fine! Good Luck!

I think you will be happy with the results. Just follow the dr and nut advice and exercise when you are allowed to! Take pics and measurements now and along the way and dont rely on the scale to see your improvements. Hope you have a great day and cant wait to hear your victory stories along the way!