Questions?

I need to update my ticker. Haven't figured out how to do it from my phone yet. I have lost 20 lbs so far.

So very sorry that this happened to you. Hoping that this all in your past and you get better everyday. Cyber hugs!

Yep, that's the plan. I'm just a planner and like to know the specifics. ????

Also a nurse (did ER for 10 yrs). Another reason for us to ask about your procedure is to assess your understanding of it. There are many people who just do "what the doctor tells them" and there are those people to who actually participate in their own health (hence all of us on this forum soaking up information). It us much easier to gear your treatment and education when you know where the patient is coming from. Granted there is a time and a place for extensive questioning. But in triage you do have to make quick decisions regarding who is the most acutely ill in comparison to who else is in the waiting room all the while answering a billion phone calls and the never ending questions of the patients and families in the waiting room.

Highest: 220, day of surgery: 190
CW: 145
5'5"
Surgery 7/31/12

Mason, I think you on the right track in your thinking but I dont think you have only 6 months to figure it all out. I hit a little ambivilence at 7-8 months but then got back into the swing. I am 13 months now, 138# lost and still rocking that sleeve better then ever!

61 pounds gone.
Sent from my iPhone using VST

I use a 1 lb bag, shredded.
2 c mozzarella
2 jumbo eggs, but a friend uses one med egg.
I don't do seasonings very often but when I do I use 1 T fennel and 1 t oregano (or other Italian seasoning that's green )

Also want to add that for me personally I had this surgery to live a normal life. A lot of people will say things like 'Oh don't eat that, it's not on plan' but for me this isn't a 'plan' this is my life. I'm not saying to go crazy and cram a sheet cake down your throat, but I don't want to deprive myself. If its my birthday and I want to have a tiny sliver of cake I'm going to work it into my calories for the day and do so and NOT feel guilt. If this surgery guaranteed I could never do that again I never would have done it. Part of the reason I didn't do RNY. It's a life style and a balance- for me anyway. Everyone is different. That's how I justify eating something like cake on a special occasion, just incase anyone was waiting to wag their finger at me lol.

I'm sorry I'm
With her! It's not your ass its the store!!!!!! Best quote of 2013! Lol

I found a frozen dessert at my local organic grocery called Arctic Zero. It has 37 calories per half cup, 3.4g Protein, and only 6g carbs. It's a good treat when I really want a snack at night.

I had the lap band and after that procedure, I can confidently say that I would never have a band at the bottom of my sleeve. Even if it's not filled/unfilled it's still something that could possibly have the same side effects of a band - erosion, etc.
If the sleeve is hard to stretch to begin with (not that it can't be stretched) I really don't see much of a benefit.

No I don't take meds for it. I use it to my advantage I'm an artist and designer I do 3D Modeling for movies magazines and video games so my ADD,ADHD works for me it's good to be random in my job

Yep, that's the plan. I'm just a planner and like to know the specifics. ????

Mich has a lot to say and obviously does no personal research. If she would have just checked the OP's profile then the situation would have been clear.
There are obvious signs in her posts that she likes to interject her opinions without knowing the situation.
Grandma always warned me about people that have a 100mph mouth & a 20mph mind.

I have a million things to say, but this has been both a very hard but also the very best year of my recent life. Wow, I am just thrilled!
When I see that before photo, I remember and still love her. I love how brave she was to keep trying, no matter how many failures at getting the weight off. I think she looks hideous on the outside but I know she was beautiful and strong on the inside, it was just so hard to see under the fatsuit.
So - starting weight size 308/ size 26W stuffed
Current 175/size 12 loose - can wear most size 10s and even a size 8 skirt the other day!
NSV - a million of them!

Me too

I hope this helps... its what I do.... I have a bunch of the 34 ounce smart Water bottles. I've found I really can not tolerate water post op and have heard the same from others. However if I put some Mio or crystal light in to give it some flavor I can drink it. So I fill my bottle up in the morning and add my Mio and start drinking it. My goal is to get three bottles in a day but some days I only get two in. However I've found if I can get the first bottle in before noon I can get all three bottles in. Usually finishing the last one right before bed. So instead of thinking about getting 90 ounces of water in a day... aim for 30 ounces separated into three mini goals and see if that works for you.

ok folks - Water is the key! at least 72oz a day. I have been doing that for the past 2 full days and viola! the scale has begun to move in the right direction! not a lot, but it is moving and I'm convinced it is because of my water intake not to mention I feel so much better being properly hydrated. Tried more scallops today and they are stuck at the beginning of my stomach - I had three today as opposed to two from yesterday and three was one too many. So much to learn about ones new situation now isn't it! BTW Your urine should be almost clear. If it is not, then you are not drinking enough - at least that's what my nurse friend told me and she was right. For all of us "slow losers" lets hit the water this week adn report back in next week on progress good luck

We're working on adding capabilities to our site and app which are similar to MFP. It's designed with Gastric Sleeve and other Bariatric members in mind. Do you have any suggestions on features you're unhappy with or would like to see changed or added within MFP ?

Today was a success. Wanted to snack so bad while studying for my midterm today but didn't. Wahoo!

You are a success because you have recognised and acknowledged your gain. I really hope you get it under control xx

This morning I realized that I am so dang close to being just overweight and not obese. My BMI stands at 30.7. I don't know why, but this has become a real thing for me, to move out of obesity - I just hate that word!!!! I still want to lose 25 ish pounds but am feeling pretty good these days.
I have lost nearly 125# and am going to hit 130# lost by the end of the year. In all honesty, looking back, I think I could have even lost more in this time window, but I am content and satisfied with my progress. I took about 2 months "off" in the summer... I was sorta reaching burnout on some things. I didn't go wild, ate small portions and was still losing, but I lose better when I have that laser like focus! I lose better when I really watch the carbs - I started with 150 to lose and I feel that if I had stayed low carb more consistently I would probably be looking at being very near goal by now. I am not saying that as a regret, rather just my opinion that might be informative for the preop crowd!
I also notice that exercise makes a difference. I am not convinced it is just the calories burned during the exercise, but rather that it kicks your metabolism up a notch. My routine has evolved over time..... but I am currently doing shorter duration, higher intensity work outs and that helped shake me out of a stall.
Oh, what else... I am thrilled, excited, pleased as punch with results but struggle at times with dismorphia - seeing myself as still hugely fat when I really am pretty normal looking for a woman my age! I think that just takes more time.
I took this self portrait this last weekend - hard to get a body shot that way.
I also attached the dreaded before picture to give you an idea of what 125# lost looks like!!!