Oliver's Mom

OMG, Success2013 - while you were typing your topic, I was typing mine. I just rec'd one yesterday from my hubby for Valentine's Day. I set it up this am and have it on now. I think it will be a great tool to not only track my exercise, but prompt me to walk/jog. I'm going to take the C25K program at my medical center's Wellness Center begins in two weeks. When you get yours, message me and we can be friends. You'll win the competition - I'm turning 60 in a few months!!

Last week when I was on the treadmill, I just had an overwhelming urge to try running for a bit. I had this entire head conversation with myself - you should try it, but I've never run, I'll look stupid, but you should try it.......so I tried it and ran for a bit then walked then ran for a bit again. Now every time I'm on the treadmill I do the same thing. Walk, run, walk, run, walk..... Just signed up to take a class C25K, it's offered thru the Wellness Program at the hospital I had my surgery at. Begins March 7th and lasts 10 weeks. I will be 60 in October and have never run - but damn it I'm going to try my hardest to do this! My daughter said she would train with me, her husband is a runner and she wants to be able to run with him. Wish me luck!!

Not one single regret. The procedure has been done for years, just not as a 'stand alone' procedure. I love how my future looks - it looks long & healthy.

My program has a monthly meeting. There is one for those who are > than 6 months post surgery, followed by one for pre-ops, newbies, and those who have had surgery and are < than 6 months post surgery. It was required to attend two prior to surgery but I went to 4. Many of the people in the > than 6 months stay for the 2nd meeting. There is usually a large group that attends. It's nice to have folks in all stages of the process - the conversations are great, the info & the tips are great and it's nice to be around in person those who are travelling the same road. There was no meeting in December, but I plan to attend every month. I like it and I feel supported. Similar to how I feel about this site.

I had a reaction two years ago to gel polish - saw a dermatologist, who dx me with a sensitivity to the gel. My daughter was getting married two months later and I wanted to have nice nails. The Dr. recomended I take Biotin. He said it would help not only with my nails but my hair as well. Fast forward to this December 3rd when I had my sleeve done. I had my regular 4 week appt for cut & color (including highlights) 2 weeks after surgery. I just had my 3rd hair appt today - again two color process. My hair stylist is my daughter, my hair is thick as it always has been, it just didn't grow as much as it usually does. In one way that was great because my 'roots' weren't as long before the appt that people would notice. We (my daughter & I) will keep an eye on things and if we need to tweak the cut, or the process we will when necessary - but until then I'll keep to my 4 week schedule.

Congratulations! You look wonderful.

I am so going to make these tomorrow! Bought the Cream of Tartar today. :-)

Congratulations! I love hearing stories like yours!! Keep up the great work.

First, congratulations on the weight you have lost! That is quite an accomplishment. Second, and just as important is that I LOVE your attitude. Some people just don't have any idea, and also no speed bumps from their brain to their mouth. I admire that you have the attitude that you do - that will serve you well in all aspects of life. Keep up the great work!! You go girl.

YAY!!!! Great results from all of your hard work.

My doc said no coffee or tea - regular or decaf for a YEAR. I drink herbal tea but it is just not the same - but since I'm a rule follower (always have been) I will work to follow his instructions. I do miss it tho.

I do too! Good to know Dean - I will further slow down my eating. Thanks

I too had a simple recovery. I feel very fortunate for that and for having the sleeve. No more diabetes meds. The eating is beginning to feel like my new normal. My surgery was December 3rd.

I must try these. They would be gluten free as there's no flour!! Yippee. Thanks for the recipes!!

I was easily tired for about 3 weeks. For the first 2 weeks it was 2 naps a day then early to bed. But the next week was better (week3) and by week 4 I was back to my normal schedule and feeling energetic. You've been thru a lot surgery wise, adjustment of food, etc. Be kind to yourself, and you will soon be feeling better.

Congratulations!! Great results from all of your hard work. So happy for you, and so happy you posted - it's an inspiration for the rest of us.

Wow!! You look great! And I LOVE that you're wearing a belt in your recent photos!! That's one clothing item I have not worn in years!! Keep up the good work and good luck to your partner! You will make a great team working on this together.

I take a Colace stool softener every evening. Since then - no problems. I also drink 1/2 glass of Kefir Probiotic. Good luck.

You are just out of the surgery....are you still taking pain meds? That could be a contributing factor if you are. I didn't have strange dreams, just noticed that I remembered my dreams more after surgery. Things are back to the 'norm' for me. Good luck!

My NUT stresses protein & water. I am usually around 800 cal per day, I have upped it to 1000 for a day or two when I stall and I feel THEN like I've over eaten - it usually works to get me back losing. Even at 1000, that is WAAAAAYYYY less than what I was eating before surgery. and I know that the calories I'm taking in are much healthier calories than I was before. Stay the course, you will do great.

In the past I would bake during snow storms. Now that I am post-op WLS I satisfied my need to cook by making a big stir fry, made some greens and then a pan of sautéed zucchini & summer squash. I put the music on and sipped my water and then my herbal tea while I did this. The end result - I have a bunch of healthy foods for the week. 27" inches here in MA so far and still snowing. No driving ban, but people are walking everywhere. I like to look at it as an adventure. We'll be back to our usual routines soon enough. It's going to go into the 40's on Monday and be above freezing all week. Having lived in NE all of my life, maybe I am just used to it. Stay warm and stay safe.

27 inches so far and its still snowing!! Its windy & cold. The governor has banned driving. Reminds me of the Blizzard of '78!! In the past I would bake, bake bake during a snowstorm. This time, I made a chicken stir fry, made greens & onions and a zucchini & yellow squash sauté. Now I have plenty of healthy foods to eat - and plenty of snow to shovel.

My surgeon oversews. He's a 'belts and suspenders' type of guy. He's a MA surgeon. My husband (RN) works in the OR at a different hospital and the bariatric surgeons oversew there as well. I had no problems post-op at all.

Hi Kati, Make sure you have a nice soft pillow to hold on your tummy for the drive home.. I put mine under the seat belt to hold it there and any bump, etc that we encountered the pillow helped. You will do great! Welcome to the club!!

I also use the 'biggest loser' scale. I bought it at Bed, Bath & Beyond. My daughter bought hers at Target. Both places it was $19.99