caldrich001

Hello from beautiful but chilly Houston! Yesterday it was 26 degrees in the morning! So unusual for us. I love cold weather but have definitely noticed a change in my body's tolerance of it since the weight loss began. Anyway, I have been out of commission for awhile with travel and then I got a virus on my computer that made my entire technology world come crashing down on me. Sigh. But I think I am good now...just have to change a billion passwords now. No bueno! So wanted to put a thought out on here and wondering if any of you have experienced the same thing. Do any of you have to travel for work? Well, I was traveling the past couple of weeks to visit my parents and wow, I CANNOT make it through airport security anymore. Every time I trigger the magnetometer and thus have to have the full criminal pat down by TSA. I have worn different bras thinking it was the underwire but nope. They repeatedly ask me if I have any metal IN my person and I say "no nothing beyond surgical staples." And they respond all the time "those won't trigger it." Uh, yes, they do! I have decided....I have had previous surgeries and it has never been a problem-well maybe one other time I had to be patted down. But now, it is EVERY time. So my thought is that with the gastric sleeve there are SO MANY staples and they are probably triple layered and basically are all clumped together so it triggers the metal detector now. Anyway, it is a total pain in the ass to say the least. Anyone else dealt with this?

I travel nearly week and haven't triggered on the staples. However, jeans with thick seams/buttons will do it. TSA also told me that tampons can occasionally trigger (ewwww TMI!) With the new total body scans, it's about density more than metal.

You might want to try different proteints. Some Protein Shakes are less calories even when mixed with skim milk. I use non-fat. Some will use half milk, half Water. Some Proteins still taste good with all water.

I lived on yogurt and scrambled eggs. Also, canned tuna crumbled very fine with mayo. There was no way I could stomach pureed meat. Bleck!

Outstanding progress! Keep up whatever you're doing!

Hi!

I have several, multiple day business trips coming up in the next couple months. I won't have access to a refrigerator or grocery store. I'm fine with making good selections in restaurants but I'm most worried about long plane flights.

An experts out there with suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

Dang girl! You are rocking it!! Keep up the great job!

Don't cry! It will get easier. Finding the right Protein is the key. Pure Protein has ready to drink boxes that remind me of choc milk. Have you tried the Isopure Clear liquids? 40g in a bottle. Pretty sweet so you may want to dilute a bit (and then you'll be drinking Water too).

Hanging in there!

You are doing wonderful!! You can be more than hopeful, you are right on track! I was at almost the exact same place at 3 weeks out. Are you drinking Protein shakes? I had 2 and sometimes 3 a day for the first few weeks. If you mix them with Water, then it counts for Water and Protein. I keep a bottle of water with me at all times. Some people use timers to remind them to drink. I've put an alarm on my phone to remind me to take Vitamins.

Don't stress! Take a deep breath! Each day will get better and easier.

I so know how you feel! I haven't lost as much as you have but I'm always freezing! I live in So Cal and eveyone thinks I'm crazy because I'm always wearing a sweater!

I take Biotin everyday. 5000 mcg. I have thin hair already and pre-op any time I dieted, I always lost hair. The key post-op is plenty of Protein, and to take all your Vitamins. I know I'll lose more hair but it will grow back and I'll be skinnier than every too!

just wondering.. for those of you who are 5-6 weeks post op, are you eating pretty much everything now? I'm eating "real food" and still drinking a shake everyday but have been nervous to try salad or steak..

what are YOU eating?

I'm at 5 weeks...still on soft food until 6 wks. So ready for something to chew!

6 weeks today. hey where is everyone?

Newgrandmother! I love your new picture! You look so happy and healthy! Congrats!

Such great news to hear of everyone's huge losses in such a short time. Would anyone care to share what your meals are during the day? I feel that might help other (and myself) speed up the weight loss process. Thanks!!

I'm 5 weeks, down 38 pounds. For meal suggestions, befriend me on My Fitness Pal (www.myfitnesspal.com), I'm caldrich001. Many people in the VSG group have their food diaries open so others can get ideas. It's very helpful.

Are you taking an antiacid every morning? What about a PPI? I was initially just taking a Prevacid Complete every morning (surgeon's guide calls for 1/day for 6 months). I was feeling what seemed to be hunger (and at time still is!) but adding the PPI reduced the feeling. I also started eating 3 meals/day with 2-3 small Snacks in between (at recommendation of the PA at my surgeon's office). That has helped too.

I'm not taking any antiacid or PPI regularly. Tums have been it periodically. I'll ask my DR on Monday. I have been eating 3meals + 2snacks, so I'm in sync on that.

Thanks!

Hi Sept Sleevers!

I'm 5 weeks today and still on soft food for one more week. I'm having heartburn between meals. Seems to kick in when my stomach is empty. I don't feel hunger. I'm not eating anything spicy and it happens with virtually between every meal.

Anyone having the same issue? If so, what are you doing about it? Are you taking anything?

Thanks!

Cat

Did you eat something that didnt agree w/ you maybe & I haven't thrown up yet @ all but ate to fast for lunch & felt like I wanted to but never did - trying to eat slow is kind of getting on my nerves - I try to wait 1 min or so before I take another bite each time

Sent from my iPhone using VST

My dr wants us to wait 10 min between bites of solid food. It's so hard but if I go less than like 7-8 I start to feel yucky full.

After surgery, I went a week without going. My dr said it was fine. For me, drinking a little hot Water or Decaf coffee will get things moving.

Me too!

Sleeved 9/18/12

Pre-op - 310

Day of Surgery- 293

Today - 277

34 total....pretty happy about that but nothing this week and last week was zero until the last day and I lost 2lbs. Very weird.

Everyone just says to stay the course....get your Protein, get your Water, get your Vitamins and walk walk walk.

Prays for next week!

Tomorrow get to start full liquids in the morning! Yes!

I had a dream about eating grilled fish, too.

Who dreams about fish? LOL

Congrats!! I dreamt about scrambled eggs for days before I went to soft foods!

I'm glad to hear you are doing this for YOU! There is no one more important. I too have been overweight forrrrr-everrrrrr! We've made the huge decision to stop the insanity of dieting and truly make a change. You should be so proud of the decision you've made and relish every pound that exits your body...permanently!

Stay the course with your plan. This is stressfull for all couples. Whether it's money, or fear of the lifestyle change or even jealousy, it's a big change for everyone.

Hang in there! We're all here for you!

Sounds like you are doing a great job. 4 oz of Soup is plenty. That takes me about 30-40 minutes to eat. I totally feel full and woozy if I eat or drink to fast. My dr said to give 5 minutes between each sip or spoonful. 10 min between each when I get to soft/regular food. I've read on here several times that we'll be able to have more liquids than food and portion sizes may actually decrease when we eat real food.

You're doing super, just stay the course!

Congrats! You should be very proud of yourself! Keep up the great work!

I started this journey on 9/12 at 325 lbs. I can't wait to get below 300. I got on the scale this morning and it was 300.4. Ugh!!!

Oh so close!!!

I am on clear liquids until Monday when I start my full liquids. Do you think it would be okay if I had Outback's French onion Soup without the bread and cheese and avoided the onions and only ate the broth? I'm dying for a different taste' date=' but I don't want to screw up either.[/quote']

I had French Onion soup strained during my clear liquids. I do have to say that after I took my prescribed Milk of Mag on the day before surgery, it wasn't a good experience, if you know what I mean.

Should be fine if you strain it.

Make sure you get as much Protein and Water as you can. My first week back was hard. I kept getting drowsy mid-afternoon. The everyday naps while I was off were hard to give up. Make sure you get a good nights sleep too.

Also, my dr said it was ok to increase the B-12 to help increase energy.

Don't worry, it gets better just about every day.