Oliver's Mom

congrats!! you look great - seeing posts like yours give me hope (only 4 weeks out). Good luck I am sure you will reach your goal.

I'm so glad you asked. I'm going out for the first time on Thursday with a large group of friends. Only my husband & 1 really close couple know I had surgery. One couple is WAY too focused on being 'ill', surgery, and complications.....and one is very opinionated and honestly I don't want to listen to all of their comments. I was concerned what I would eat. I went on line to check out the menu at the restaurant we are going to and it looks like there is an appetizer I can order and eat. (I'm 4 weeks out) I might try to eat some shrimp at home tomorrow to see how that goes-if it goes well there would be another appetizer I could order, so I would have a choice.

check out www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com blog. She has tons of recipes for mini crustless quiches, you can use egg substitute instead of 'real' eggs.

Congratulations! Reading stories like yours give me such hope - I'm 4 weeks out and already down 2 sizes!!

This sounds yummy! Heading to the market tomorrow and will pick up all of the ingredients- sounds like a good weekend meal! Thanks for sharing.

I was sleeved on December 3rd. Had a 'pain pump' which I could push every 7 minutes if I needed it. In the 24 hours that it was attached I pushed it 6 or 7 times. Some of those were to go back to sleep after being woken for blood work, checks the 1st night. Went home with Tylenol/codeine took one at night the 1st night home. None since. I felt a little tired the first week, walked every hour for 5-10 minutes. Took a nap once a day. All of that the first week. After that I felt better than my 'normal' self -only thing that was different was that I didn't feel hungry. I consider my recovery totally uneventful. I feel great still. No issues encountered at all. I'm at the soft solid food stage. My husband (an OR nurse)is a great support - he says that most of the sleevers at his hospital have the same experience as I am. I am no longer taking any Diabetes meds, my HBP meds have been cut from 2 pills to 1/2 of one pill a day. This is the BEST thing I have ever done. I believe it will continue to be so. Here's to 2013 - the year I hope to meet my goal!

I remember at my pre-op monthly support meetings that the Program Director saying that in Massachusetts it is not a covered benefit with Medicare. Good luck.

Good luck, you will do great! Sending prayers, light & love your way.

Congrats!! You look amazing - gives me hope!

Bravo!! Tomorrow is my 4 week anniversary and I haven't stalled yet.........I keep waiting to....and with al the info on this site I think I won't freak out when I do stall. Your dress is beautiful! Keep uo the good work.

Even if its uncomfortable, try getting up and walking around for 5 - 10 minutes every hour. That helps a LOT with getting rid of the gas, and it helps to get everything moving. YOu will heal faster - as crazy as that sounds. It gets better and quickly. Everyone heals differently so timing is different for everyone. I felt sort of crummy the 4th day out, then from there on - its better every day (surgery was on 12/3). Make sure you have Fluid with you wherever you are, on the couch, in a chair or in bed. Sip, sip , sip- tiny sips add up. Keep us posted - we care. AND most importantly - you will do great - just follow your medical teams instructions. We're all rooting for you.

Congratulations - you look amazing! Your post is such an inspiration to us 'newbies'. I'm 3 weeks out & down down 32 lbs from my start weight. Enjoy the holidays - and I applaud the shopping!!!

I was liquid for 1, pureed for 2 and today I start my soft for 4!!! I like TerryG's idea about the popsicles. I might have to run out today and get some. I've found that when I have head hunger, if I do something like fold some laundry, call a friend to just chat, go for a walk, play with my dogs, even do Words with Friends, it passes. Also I keep water or herbal tea with me and if I sip, sip sip I feel full and the hungry thoughts goes away. Good luck - just keep thinking it is all a process and take it a day at a time. We're learning new things, new skills , new ways of 'feeding ourselves' and not just with food.

When was your surgery? My glue came off on its own after about a week.

Congratulations you look great! I'm almost (tomorrow) 3 weeks out and I look forward to having success as you did!

I only told those very close to me about the surgery before I had it on 12/3/12. Its a personal decision to have the surgery, so I felt that it was a personal healthcare issue. My choice to tell those I wanted to. As it was a several months process before you have the surgery, I was losing a little weight and upping my exercise during that time. Someone not close to me commented on my weight loss the other day (at a hair salon) and she asked 'what's your secret' I said I have been working on it for several months, its a lifestyle change and making good decisions. All of which is the truth and I felt comfortable with that answer - so was she! I too felt that if I got negative responses or even comments like, Oh you took the easy way out - it would impact me. AND we all know this isn't the easy way - it's a full commitment and a lot of work and planning. So decide for yourself I would say, who you tell and who you don't. You wouldn't tell strangers or acquaintances necessarily about other surgeries you might have. It's your journey, your decision. Good luck!!

Congratulations!! I was sleeved on Dec 3rd!! I have lost 31 lbs and feel fabulous! I am about to enter the 3rd stage of eating as prescribed by my medical posse - which is the intro to more soft foods, including veggies, fruit and some fish/meats. This is the best decision ever for me. I am most excited about being off all of my diabetes medications and having my blood pressure meds cut down to only 1/2 of a pill a day! I wish you continued good luck on your journey - and to all the other sleevers as well!

I have a couple of 16 oz thermal cups with lids and the opening is a great size. I use those and track on myfitnesspal on my phone as I finish the 16 oz. I also have a similar cup that is 24 oz and I use that when I am out running errands, so I don't run out of liquid. I bought them at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

If you have access to a refrigerator and a microwave - can you bring turkey and cheese roll up-no bread, maybe add some avocado, soups, FF yogurt, leftover chicken with a yogurt based dipping sauce, hard boiled egg mashed with a little low fat mayo, soups, leftover casseroles that you made at home. Pre pack the night before work, portioning out the proper sizes for you. Check out the blog www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com she has great ideas. It will take some planning, but you can do it!!!

Congratulations!! You look amazing - when did you have your surgery?

I think every medical team is a little different. I was on liquid for 1 week post-op, then moved to 'level 2' diet that my med team had prescribed - which includes mostly liquid but the addition of SF, FF yogurt, cottage cheese (mushed up), ricotta thinned with liquid and a scrambled egg. I stay on that diet for 2 weeks. I'm in the middle of my second week with that and it's not bad. Good luck.

Yay !!! you have your date. You will do great. Good luck

Good luck! You will do just fine. The weight will come off, just remember it is one tool in your toolbox for weightloss. Follow the guidelines your medical team gives you for food, vitamins and exercise and you will be amazed at how the weight comes off. Breathe, once you get to the hospital, you're busy, then you get a mild sedative and you're relaxed. Taken into the OR and the next thing you remember is waking up in recovery! Sending good thoughts and positive energy your way.

I too like My fitness pal. The nutritionist at my pre-op program told us about it and I've been using it since September. I just had my surgery 2 weeks ago - very helpful tracking protein, fats, carbs & calories.

Ha ha ha my husband and I were just talking about this last night-I was always the one turning the heat down, he would add the extra blanket. Now our roles are reversed.......I'm just down 30 lbs. Not complaining tho!