BigGirlPanties

@kaiwil27 NOOOOOO....don't be afraid...she is losing, she wants to lose more and more quickly!!!! Precious is doing quite well... everyone loses at their own rate... but this is a tool, as I'm sure you have been told, and you have to work with your tool, it can't work without your help. So follow the program and live a long and lovely life...I wish I did this SO much sooner!!!

Everyone is a bit different... I took about 4 weeks...but I HATE my job ... but actually I had a bit of a problem with dehydration...so I had to go in for a fill and the dr wanted me to make sure I was ok with my Fluid intake before driving and working... ... so take it easy... remember you are healing from the inside out... you may just have a few little scars on the outside, but your tummy has had a major overhaul!!! I had FMLA/disability...so I was covered...so that's an important factor as well, I'm sure. Good Luck!

@charliecharms slider foods are the things that go down easy... ice cream etc, even too much of the good things...like yogurt etc... and if you eat and drink at the same time, it can your turn your food into a "slurry" of a slider food... and fill up your pouch/sleeve incorrectly...basically it's all the JUNK food that you used to eat... also things where you cannot stop with just a bite... the list goes on... your dr should have info on that for you that's why it's so important to eat your Protein first and slowly... here's one of the links where they talk about sliders http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/301871-lets-talk-sliders/?hl=%2Bslider+%2Bfood#entry3433174

AMEN, and congrats!

You are probably a bit above the curve ...you need to start exercising to tone your skin... I didn't do it as part of my plan in the beginning and am regretting it...but everyone is different. My worse part is my upper arms, so I have been using lightweight weights when I walk now to help tone them... Congrats

You are going great! DO NOT compare yourself to others...you are you and not them.. when was the last time you lost 30 pounds in 3 months? Look at it that way... and if you are weighing yourself every day STOP! Once a week is plenty or you will make yourself looney with those numbers! Just enjoy the way your body is feeling...I'm sure clothes are loose...do a measurement, it may make you feel better...don't worry, you'll get there, just don't give up... it is a bit of work, but SO worth it!

It takes more than one big helping of Water to stretch your sleeve/pouch...really MUCH MUCH more... so don't worry, right now you are still in the healing stage; and if you can get a LOT of water in, get it in there... it helps... Good luck to you, and relax, you've GOT THIS!

@Ginger Snaps lol...actually I thought about that after I posted..."food for thought is always a 'free" food"

@TatorTot I agree with a lot of this ,,, @Bandista totally... I haven't missed most of those "bad: foods...the only time I have a "real" carb is when we go out to eat... I have one warm small, yummy roll.... it's my treat...and I'm happy with that... we all have to find ways to make it work for us...but you will find that after the surgery, it will be much easier to make healthy choices... Good luck and let us know of your progress!

@bozo511@hotmail.com I believe the "no straw" rule is because it adds air to your pouch, problem, for me, is that the ice or a cold drink bothers my teeth (sensitivity)...so in order to drink, I need a straw... so I admit, as stated previously, we are all different and we have to find what works for us... in order to keep my liquids up, I have to put a straw in... probably at my next NUT visit I should discuss that...hmmm...food for thought!

yes...also a good suggestion...it's only one small potato...but still...don't "need" it in there... it's probably used as a thickening agent more than anything else, is what I figured...

I haven't made this yet...but it looks good.... I'll probably switch out the potatoes for turnips Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely chopped 5-6 cups young spinach leaves 4 cups low sodium vegetable stock 1 medium potato, diced 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar* Salt and pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional Directions: Heat the oil in a large 8-quart stockpot. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Set aside 4-6 small spinach leaves. Add the remaining leaves to the pan, stirring until the spinach is wilted. Add the stock and potatoes to the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover the pan and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool slightly. Pour the Soup into a blender or food processor and process until completely smooth. Return the the soup to the stockpot and add the rice wine vinegar. Adjust the seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Heat until just about to boil. Finely shred the reserved spinach leaves and sprinkle some over the top. Drizzle a few drops of sesame oil into the soup. Ladle into warmed soup bowls and sprinkle the remaining shredded spinach on each, then serve the soup at once. Serves 4, 1 cup per serving. Per serving: 38 calories, 3 grams Protein; 2 grams Fat; 2 grams Carbohydrate. *Rice Wine Vinegar: There are Japanese as well as Chinese rice vinegars, both made from fermented rice, and both slightly milder than most Western vinegars. Chinese rice vinegar comes in three types: white (clear or pale amber), used mainly in SWEET-AND-SOUR dishes; red, a popular accompaniment for boiled or steamed crab; and black, used mainly as a table CONDIMENT. The almost colorless Japanese rice vinegar is used in a variety of Japanese preparations, including SUSHI rice and SUNOMONO (vinegared salads). Rice vinegar can be found in Asian markets and some supermarkets.

that's awesome!

have you tried it without the ice? sometimes, when you are new, the ice upsets your system... I was a big Water drinker (along with mega doses of diet coke), but it doesn't hold the same for me after... now I drink decaf tea, crystal light, etc... but a plain glass of water doesn't interest me anymore... tastes change... but, try without ice and see if you tolerate it better...at least for now

@NancyInOkc yes, be grateful...most banders are being "fixed" with the sleeve, so you don't have to go thru it twice...but it is a wonderful journey...even tho I have stalled, I have maintained, and that's important to me too... I won't give up...this is my new forever!

here is the posting of the recipe http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/305338-spinach-and-ginger-soupstomach-discomfort/

absolutely call your doctor first and foremost! I have read that ginger helps in this stage... you can grate it into your beverages...like tea... the flavor isn't too pungent... you can also get it in tablet form in the Vitamin aisle...or I also read that you can suck on a slice of it, but have never tried that. here's a recipe for Soup that is suppose to help with stomach discomfort: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/305338-spinach-and-ginger-soupstomach-discomfort/

when you look for the calcium, be sure you are looking for calcium citrate, it absorbs much better than calcium carbonate... just a FYI... not that the carbonate is bad, I'm just told for us WLSers, the citrate is better

cool...thanks, I guess I need to sign up with GNC as well to save I am running short on my bars; hopefully the place I get them from will still give me a BOGO price

@momheartsdad ...are you being converted to sleeve? it doesn't say much in your stats... but don't worry... it'll be ok... the pre-op liquids goes by quickly especially knowing surgery awaits at the end of that road... We are here for you! Get out that Protein and start sipping!!!! Also a reminder, you can get free Protein shakes, scar cream, and possibly Vitamins from InsureNutrition.com... just go there and fill in the blanks!

I said "adios" to most of those foods and haven't looked back...but you can never say never! we all know that... But like Bob2013 says, he found a way to make it work for him...and we all find ways that work... I find I don't crave most of that junk anymore...or maybe my mind is set in the right place not sure...but it's a good thing... my favorite snack is raw almonds!!! If someone told me that over a year ago, I'd have said they were NUTS LOL (pun intended).... it'll be ok...you'll see

I stay away from carbs as much as possible.... so no potatoes...I substitute cauliflower (my husband and I both love mashed cauliflower), or turnips, depending on the recipe. When you eat your Protein and some veggies...there won't be room for much else... don't waste your pouch on carbs

You can check with your doctor...but I don't see why you can't swallow that... I use calcium citrate chews...in caramel...my little secret indulgence (not really) ... the pharmacy at my hospital carries them (so yours might), but you can get them from Unjury.com I believe

yes heat affects the Protein...try sprinkling it on your food instead...but they say to throw it into anything and everything you can... good luck!

@Katcloudshepherd those sessions could help... I know going to meetings once a month (wish it was more) I feel more "accountable" for myself, even tho we don't weigh in there... Good luck!