Momonanomo

thrift stores, ebay, etc. -- they are lifesavers! and, I'm going to sell some of the dresses I've shrunk out of at the local consignment store, so I can recoup some of that $$

THAT IS AN AWESOME STORY!!! I love it!

Mine said as soon I was off pain meds, and when I felt like I could. I drove within a week (even though I didn't take pain meds after 24 hours) check and see what your doc's guidelines are!

It's different for EVERYONE! Some lose a lot for a long time, or for a short time, and some lose small amounts for a long time, or for a short time. Point being: there's really no way to tell until (and unless) it happens to you. Sorry to be so vague. The good news is this: it grows back. I haven't read one single post where a veteran said it never grew back. I'm at 5 months post surgery, and I haven't lost any yet. I figure if I can get to the 6 months mark I'm in the clear (what I've read it starts between 2 and 6 months). I suppose it could start shedding tomorrow, and if it does I won't be surprised. I also will still be grateful for the 76 lbs I've lost so far, and for the reasonable chance that I can lose 69 more and get to goal. If I lose hair, I will know it's not forever & it does grow back. Try not to worry yourself too much over this! Get your protein, your water, and a balance of healthy fat in your diet. Take your vitamins, and biotin supplements. Be kind to your hair and massage your scalp well when you shampoo. But please don't make yourself miserable worrying.

Try not to think of it as a 'diet'. Think of it as preparing for a surgery. You want to give your surgeon the best chance of doing a safe surgery, and give yourself the best chance at a smooth recovery. Start fresh, now, today. You can do this! Wonderful things are ahead for you, just keep your eye on the prize! good luck!

I used to get reqlly into the show & get inspired. But then I read a follow up article, and most of them gain the weight back. I felt betrayed in a way....I kinda feel now like they mislead the audience. >shrug< just havent been into watching it ever since i read that. Plus, the product placement (advertising within the show) is pretty shameless! Just my opinion...

yes yes and YES! A kajillion times yes! The sleeve has not only reversed the horrible path I was going down, it has given me hope for a future in which I won't be miserable. I already feel so much better, and I am excited that I will keep feeling better and better as I head toward goal! I had tried so many things in the past and always ended up gaining it back plus extra. I was tired of failing, and tired of being tired. I researched all the different WLS and the new diet pills that have recently come available, and those that will be coming soon. I firmly believe that the sleeve was the best answer for me.

Oh I am SO sorry! I had post op nausea too it sucks. I can't tell you when yours will stop, because everyone is different. If they think you should stay in the hospital, you should stay. Numero uno priority right now is for you to stay hydrated. Dehydration is serious business. Tiny, TINY sips of Water are the way to go, and breathe. Just enough to wet your mouth. Tiny sips several minutes later, and breathe. Rest, and repeat. It WILL get easier over time. Also, they should have some anti-nausea medicine, and I've heard smelling an alcohol swab can help. Mine lasted no longer than a week, and while at the time I was miserable --- it's a distant memory now. Hope you feel better soon!!

next week Thursday, 10 am. just kidding When was your surgery? What is in your surgeon or NUT's guidelines? Go by their guidelines!! There'e an ongoing debate here about whether carbonation is damaging to the sleeve once it's healed. Certainly if you have just recently had your surgery, carbonation is out of the question, because it could hurt you and/or do some damage to your healing tummy. But if you're several months out.....well.... some people indulge, others swear i will stretch the sleeve, some have tried and found it painful. I'm about 5 months out and have had calorie free, very light carbonation a handful of times. If I drank too quickly it was uncomfortable. The way I see it, I will be doing right by my body if I can get off unnatural, carbonated beverages (this includes diet AND regular). Water is best really, and I'm trying to develop good new habits while I'm in this period. I worked really hard to get my sleeve, and for the progress I've made so far. Coca cola bottling company doesn't deserve my support -- they helped get me to a point where I needed surgery in the first place!

No drain

everyone and I mean EVERYONE seems to have a different experience! I had pain immediately after surgery in the recovery room, but it went away quickly. I was sore and sleepy and a bit nauseous for the next several days. Some people on here have no pain whatsoever, some are in a lot of pain for a while, and everything in between. I will say this though: when you first wake up from surgery, make sure the nurses know if you are in pain because they are there to help IF it does hurt (and it totally might NOT!). The other key thing immediately after surgery is to walk, walk, walk. A lot of times the pain people experience is from the gas the use in laproscopic surgery to inflate your tummy so they have room to work. After surgery, the gas gets trapped in your body tissues and can cause pain & discomfort. Walking helps it dissipate. Good luck!

A percentage of folks on VST have had leaks, and they can be caused for various reasons. In theory a leak could be caused from not strictly following the diet progression recommended by your surgeon, although it can happen for other reasons too. I was not ever tempted to "cheat" after surgery, because I didn't think of it as just any old diet. I thought of it as recovering from surgery that removed 85% of my stomach, and the thought of stressing the vertical cut line several inches long on a major organ of mine...well let's just say I wasn't going to push my luck on that!

Yes! I happen to like zombie apocalypse as a genre, but even if you dont, this show has amazing acting and storytelling! I love it

My surgery was 5/22, and when i eat good quality protein, i get uncomfortably full. Im somewhat uncomfortably full right now in fact I think people who are further out will say after 6 months the tummy relaxes, but I am curious to hear what they say. I do know for me at this point, it depends entirely on what I eat whether I feel the sleeve's restriction or not.

Great job! And yes Im also getting frustrated that the blogs arent working!

Total addicts here! My husband and I re-watched seasons 2 & 3, one episode per Sunday since last spring's season finale. That way we havent had to go without our TWD! Watching previous episodes was a great way to fill the 'dead' time between seasons lol.

I agree - something small & protein. I also recommend eating very slowly. And dont have anything too greasy or sugary --- that could ruin your evening. Focus on the conversation & company instead of the food & drink. Have fun!

We call it a protein-ccino!

Chike is my fave, but evry morning i have a cup of iced coffee mixed with a vanilla premiere RTD. 30 g protein, and being a RTD it mixes well with the coffee and is smooth. Also, the ice cubes are coffee - I use left over coffee in an ice cube tray for the next morning's ice cubes. So it is never watered down Chike is awesome but this is a close second!

I am so sorry for your loss. What a wonderful, loving, selfless person you are to be willing to move away from home to help care for your husbands family. I just want to say that since you can eat so little, it matters even MORE what you eat. You need to eat properly so that you can feel well and be there for your hubby. If you eat sugar and carbs instead of Protein and plenty of Water, you are going to feel like crap. Please do take care of yourself so that you can be there for husband & FIL. Best of luck to you. You will be in my prayers.

I actually noticed it at the beginning of my pre-op diet. I could (and still can) smell bread from 1/2 a mile! Same with sugar.

My surgery was 5/22, and for the first 2 weeks I slept a LOT-- just recovering from major surgery. I felt ok enough to go back to my desk job after about 10 days but was still drained at the end of the day. Ever since then it has been a steady increase in energy. I have noticed, however, that just the smallest little ailment (headache, heartburn, etc.) makes me shut down and go to sleep. It's as though my body doesn't have the energy to deal with it. I believe this to be because of the low cal diet, not necessarily the surgery itself. I eat about 900 to 1000 per day and very low carb. I believe when I reach goal and eat more calories eventually, this will not be an issue.

SO crazy! I was just daydreaming about popcorn! I've stayed away from it since surgery because I have also heard it's a slider....so now having seen your post, I think the timing of it is undeniable.....the Universe is warning me not to indulge in popcorn at this time on my journey. Thank you!

I always thought I was 5'10" -- i used to be anyways. I think maybe being obese compressed me a bit as I aged (I'm 41). So when the surgeon's office measured me at 5'9" I was surprised. However, I went with it because it helped get my BMI to the surgery- qualifying number of 40. I'm curious to see fi when I get to a more normal weight I get that inch back ANYWAYS! I started at 289, and now I'm at 214 ish. My surgeon's goal is 150, although I picked it & they said fine; it's not like they picked it for me. If that is reasonably achievable for me, then I will actually shoot for 145 as a personal goal. The caveat here is that if I were to get to say, 165, and find that I'm quite happy, I will make that my goal. I really just want to get to that normal BMI, and be happy and healthy.

1. Height - 5'9" 2. Starting highest weight - 289 3. Surgery weight - 279 4. Goal weight and/or current weight - goal is 150; currently at 215 5. Length of time to reach goal weight (edit: or length I time to reach current weight) - 20 weeks 6. Age - 41