BigGirlPanties

So many members have gone from band to sleeve... I wish you luck... I have had minimal problems with my sleeve and am "working it"...

Excellent...so good to have a goal like that! I have RA, so my legs are very bad and walking can be quite a chore...however, with the weight loss, it has been SO much better!!!! No cane, no walker anymore unless I am doing a LOT of walking. New knees in the future to help out... but I really need to get on task with better exercise as well...good luck to you!

where do you get black olive hummus...or do you have the recipe? Sounds good....

Thanks everyone for the responses! It looks like I'm gonna have to give it up then! . It is gonna be very hard for me especially since I don't like to drink Water when I eat! I guess I will have to get use to it. I wish there were other choices at restaurants that are no calories besides water and diet pop. Oh well! carry some single packets of crystal light, etc., with you if you want something other than water... and I drink tea... at home I have my decaf tea...when I am out I get regular iced tea... some say that caffeine whets your appetite, but since I only have one or two (on occasion), I haven't found it to be a problem

you may not need it after surgery...but why wouldn't you just crush it up in to a drink? (tho I think I did have to take something after the surgery for a few weeks) I didn't use that stuff, but my regular meds went down fine after surgery...but they are both small... don't know if that matters

the microwave way is best...quick and DONE... add some spaghetti sauce and turkey meatballs and you will be in HEAVEN!!!

I haven't read all of these...but I'm pretty sure the 65% loss was during the "honeymoon" period... i.e. the first 6 months after surgery...after that the loss is slower, but if you stay on point, you will lose!

I hear you!!! I wish I could shrink some things...like my Quaker Factory sweaters...oh how I hated giving those up to Goodwill... but it's fun being on this side isn't it!!! I never worry about the dryer anymore either! Never thought of it before, but you are SO right about that!

How fun! I'd LOVE to weigh less than my hubby...may be soon, but during my journey, he has lost over 20 pounds from healthier eating and cutting out soft drinks and a lot of carbs!!! Congrats!

I didn't experience that at all...are you putting some aloe lotion or neosporin type stuff on it which may help with the healing... but yes, everyone is different; but if it persists, they need to address it!

I was a Diet Coke-aholic... I probably drank 2 quarts a day...seriously!!! I have not touched it since my liquid diet- pre-op - ...we had to attend a class and she showed us what the carbonation does to your stomach; don't do it... look for alternatives, such as crystal light items... my new obession is decaf iced tea (never drank coffee)... I add tocani SF syrups...raspberry is my favorite...YUM...

Most of my issues are the same as FieryRed... the not drinking thing (tho I was told it is not as vital for sleevers as it is for gastric patients) and eating S L O W and small...

You are on the emotional roller coaster almost ALL of us have experienced... take a deep breath and remember it is meant to be... the surgery is so much simplier now than it was just a few years ago! My sister had the full gastric, she (and my NUT, who had a full gastric) said if she could have, she would have been sleeved... you have done your homework...YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!!

awesome! congratulations... every time that scale moves downward, I stand there in disbelief!!! I have only had one gain of 1 pound during my journey so far... I have a bit to go to get to Onederland...when I hit below that 199 I will be screaming for joy that I will wake the whole neighborhood...guaranteed!!!!

Some people don't know what to say or how to handle our "change"... and she could, genuinely, be concerned about you; but just doesn't know how to convey it in a proper manner... that said, I agree ... if her friendship is important (as most are), speak to her and let her know that what she said was hurtful...if she continues; then you know what you have to do...

don't let them get you down...from our "before" to the "after" is a dramatic change...and to many people we look too thin (is anyone ever TOO thin) ... some may be worried about your health... just keep on going until you feel you are where YOU need to be! I know my Dr. wants me to lose more than my goal; but I know my body and I don't want to go that low... I am happy that I am now a "functioning" human being instead of the Jabba that I used to be... I have RA, so losing weight before surgery had been impossible and I had become very lethargic...now I can move!!! Don't worry, be happy... I would assume you are taking Biotin for your hair (and nails) it really helped me...it was coming out in CLUMPS!!! Congrats!

I've never tried Quest Bars...maybe I'll order some... If I remember.... my NUT gave me Power Crunch which are good...but variety is better

I have been using the tosani fat free syrups...raspberry, vanilla, etc...but that has been in tea mostly... maybe I'll try the raspberry in water

Wow...PdxMan...that is some wonderful information!!! Thanks for sharing...I still have to get the hang of slow down and chew longer... I have gotten better, over time, but not where I should be... as far as carbs...NO NO NO... cut them out as much as possible, they have no value... I haven't had a fry or potato in a year and a half and don't miss it at all! Don't get it that habit of "no restrictions"... you have to watch what you eat FOREVER, you have to change your way of thinking about food... Protein is most important as your body does not produce protein... be careful of a "no restrictions" attitude, you'll be gaining back weight before you can blink!!!

somehow i got posted twice...so I'm changing this to just say "thanks"

I am going to try this...but instead of the wonton, I may try eggplant or zucchini to make the layers... I heard that is a great way to make a bariatric lasagna! Thanks, I love the portion control part!!! Never thought of this...will try this weekend!

I am three weeks post op and am having similiar problem...now I finally can have food instead of just liquids, so that helps because I was having a really hard time of it after 4 weeks of liquids and yogurt... I can't find any flavor that helps me drink more either... for some reason everything I drink tastes funny... and we have purified water, so I know it's me... I'm still looking for the right combo to help me with my intake, but, like you, I have to PUSH myself to drink ... good luck... if anyone has some suggestions, I am open to them as well!

Agree, agree, agree...there is a difference between "fat" and "healthy" as well... we all know what it's like to be overweight and unhealthy and we may never be what society seems to think is "thin"; but we are on our way to being healthy and that's the most important part... maybe someday society will change their way of thinking...but probably not in our lifetime!

...to LIVE! Had my surgery done on October 1, so still in the healing/liquid diet process... my journey started almost 3 years ago when I was having problems with my knees due to arthritis, and therefore was gaining weight due to inactivity. I was only working temp so I didn't want to start up the process after going to the first seminar and finding it could take several months... ...advance forward over 2 years and I was finally on track again; was full-time, had FMLA, and was covered for the surgery; and let's not forget the weight I had gained since I first started thinking about the operation. There was no doubt that I was going to get the sleeve from the first seminar, it seemed like the best choice for me; and well, for ANYONE... the lap band was too "flexible" for me, didn't like that idea; nor of going to the dr regularly just to have it adjusted. The bypass seemed so drastic, plus you HAD to take all kinds of Vitamins as your body would not absorb them anymore... PASS! So here I am, one week after surgery, down 25 pounds and feeling good already. I have a LONG way to go, but with the support of my medical team, family, friends, and the VST, all will be good! Thank you EVERYONE! :wub:

It is said that us sleevers have it a bit easier for the coversion...most surgeons want to make sure you are healed before putting puree in...I would KILL for a scrambled egg about now... one more week on my liquids, and I should be able to do purees and move on. If you are uncomfortable after eating anything, then you know it was too much too soon