TwinsMama

@Taty thanks for replying, you have to let me know how the Spanx does for you. They have never helped me much, but I'd love to know how the newer ones are. I heard they did some redesigns a few years back so I'm interested in hearing how it goes. @Cowgirl wow 123#! That is great!!! Okay so you didn't wear any. That's I guess my confusion because I wear girdles now, they aren't that uncomfy for me (probably because I've worn them so long) but I do wonder if they help with pain/saggy skin.

Outback has choices at least and you can ask them to prepare foods to accommodate your sleeve. Good luck and tell us how it goes.

Glad you're feeling better, hope you feel better tonight.

Great first entry. I've heard lots of people talk about how people "change" after WLS. I've known a number of people and let me tell you how they've changed... More confidence - not bad at all, most people just can't take it that they now stand up for themselves now and won't be pushed around or are no longer shy, etc. Happier - not always but in many cases those I know are happier which means they don't allow drama into their lives any longer, so you know what that means to drama kings/queens...bye bye More active - they are no longer the sit in the house and eat with me types, they move, have fun, travel, do all the things they didn't do before Make more $$$ - not sure if this is a result of more earnings or less spent on medications, clothes, food Take more risks - by this I mean they try lots more things that they were affraid/ didn't have confidence enough to try before, from new careers, to new relationships, to more self-love The list really goes on and on. I guess what I'm trying to say is those that I know have really improved overall body, mind, and soul. So what actually I've seen happen is the OTHER people can't take seeing them so happy and confident. Best wishes you to on your journey!

There are 4 of us close college friends in our group. We all have been both above and at our "ideal" (healthy BMI) weights over the years. 2 years ago (wow, time flew) friend A got RnY. She immediately told her family and then us. I fully supported her as I had been on the fence myself regarding WLS. Friend B was not for or against just really scared (she is our worry'er). Friend C for a really long time made snide comments about how "not healthy, easy, wrong, you must be rich" for her to have WLS. Friend C simply would rather be big than supportive of WLS. She doesn't know the facts and chooses to stay ignorant of them. Totally her choice. However, I did tell C that it is hurtful to A to constantly say those things, especially given that A was the only one of us with a co-morbidity (diabetes). C still does not agree with A's choice but at least does not make the snide remarks. Fast forward to today. I've made the choice and will be telling all of them in 2 days that I too am having surgery. C won't like or agree with it given her assumptions. The thing is...this is 100% MY decision, MY health, MY life, MY family I'm getting healthy for. I don't care what she or anyone else thinks and I hope Donna you are able to get to a point where you feel the same way.

I'm pre-op but people I know have said to try Biotin and also cutting shampoo (or using sulfate-free shampoo) and only using conditioner (also free of sulfates and cones - silicone, etc.).

My husband swears by male tailors. Good for you for finding a cheaper option!

Very thoughtful. My Nut gave me different guidelines and then my surgeon gave me even different guidelines. What you provided should help anyone who doesn't have a plan.

Good luck...fingers crossed for you!

Congrats!!

LOL, do you know if you at least won your bids?

I've been thinking about what I'll wear under my clothes after the surgery. Right now I fluctuate between Body Magic (horrible when you have to go to the bathroom) and Squeem. I tend to run cold so I'm always layering and if I can find something to nip and tuck, I'm game. I've tried Spanx but they either don't stay in place or are so thin they are not worth it. So as I read the many posts here about compression garments, I've wondered if anyone knows of any scientific studies that show they help. I ask this because I didn't wear anything right after my c-section but once I finally started it was a whole new world...far less pain. I always wondered if it was all in my head or if it really helped me in some way. Now, in speaking with my surgeon, he didn't have a preference. I'd like to go ahead and buy now (if it is worth it) during the holidays since there are a few promotions going on. But I'd like to know if it was worth it for any Sleevers that may have tried them post-op. Specifically, Did you find it helpful? If so, why...if not, why not? What brand(s) did you buy? What model/item? How soon after surgery did you wear yours? Was it painful to get into? Do you still wear it? Anything else that I should know to help me decide? I'd really appreciate anything anyone has to offer regarding this. Thanks!

@Lez, after my c-section I went home with the staples and just about died every time anything hit my tummy, including nursing...cannot imagine injections after that ordeal. As for my hubby, he said he'd do it...but still that is a shot and he better not hurt me. @Lisa's oh I would just about cry if I hadn't known in time to prepare myself. I am horrible with pain. I think it is the thought of a shot...I have tatoos and somehow my mind can take the pain of those but not the pain of shots...I may have a repressed childhood memory. @Dooter nope, I have no history of blood clots but my surgeon is making everyone do it. Yes, the diets get down right confusing. One Dr, says this another that and the Nuts don't agree either. Lots of trial and error I forsee.

Congrats on the weight loss! Hope everything turns out normal for your upcoming tests.

Congrats on the weight loss! Have you tried taking garlic or ginger? I'm not much of a meds person but when I get sick I chop them up really fine (almost paste fine) and then put them in a bit of applesauce or something else to mask the taste. Normally if I do that once or twice a day I feel better in about a day or so. Hope that helps some.

My Nut was down right obsessed that I have citrate. So far the Celebrate ones from Bariatric Advantage have tasted the best. Not sure about how many you get but my Nut gave me a lot to try and they are all I can stomach in chewables. Mind you I'm pre-op so take this with a grain of salt.

Congrats and best wishes!

Yes, I like smooth foods the chewing starts to hurt my jaw after a while. I know it's weird but my kids are that way too so at least now all these years later I know it is not just me. Soup...that's a good idea. I hardly ever even consider soup. I think I'll poke around for some good recipes. Thanks for that suggestion!

I've done horseback riding for years. It has been a while but I've gone even bigger than I am now so believe me, you didn't hurt the horse. Think about it this way...back in the pioneer days not all wo/men were small so believe me, this is nothing new.

Amen to that and I love your boxer...looks like my pup!

Me too mostly. I don't mind cheese and seafood but I get tired of them both sometimes. I've done protein shakes for years because I get tired of chewing and don't always have time to sit and eat. I think the liquid diet (if I can still do almond milk) will be the easiest part for me.

Oh okay, well I understand that.

My surgeon said he'd like us to take off as long as possible up to our full 6 week limits. I want to take no more than 2 weeks. How long do most Sleevers take? I've seen the range so far is 1 week to a few weeks. The 6 weeks is a first I've seen.

What a piece of work! She is obviously jealous that you are getting attention (and maybe that you'll take her assumed crown for hottest in the office). Don't even listen to her crap. I LOVE what Bunny did. That was a good laugh to get me through the rest of my day!

I think it depends on the person's goal/ diet plan. When I did low carb and lost a ton of weight, I was eating high Protein. I have a friend who lost weight with South Beach and ate not quite as much protein as I did on Atkins. My friends who lost weight on Weight Watchers ate a lot of protein but not as much as those of us on low carb. I do know that my friends that lost and kept it off (various different methods/diets) are all high protein eaters. They tend to average roughly (they measure in oz) 12-16 oz or more of protein daily. So depending on the source, that can be a lot of protein.