Oliver's Mom

When you say a "normal" stomach, do you mean the one that allows you to make 3 trips through the all-u-can-eat trough or the one that "normal" people have where they eat a well balanced, correctly portioned meal?
If it is the first, I don't want that anymore and if it is the latter, than the procedure has given me a "normal" stomach, so ...
I, too, had a hiatal hernia repair during my procedure. I had terrible reflux, but now, I do not battle it at all. Zero. It solved my problems with reflux and there is a good chance it will for you, too.

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.

I was sleeved on Dec. 10th & have lost 20 lbs (50+ since my first appt in July. I was told watching others eat and drink would be difficult this Christmas. Actually it wasn't bad at all. As I sat at the dinner table eating my small amounts of soft foods, I kept thinking about how all the people around me were going to feel after the meal and after the holidays. And how most of them would make New Year's resolutions to get rid of there extra pounds, that they may or may not ever loose. So instead of feeling sorry for my self, I was thanking God for this wonderful opportunity, and knowing weight loss resolutions are not needed for me. I have control, I feel great, and I am excited to see the results of my workouts and healthy eating that will last way past any new years resolution! Happy New Years and thanks for all the great info & support I get reading your posts!!

Congrats. I was sleeved on the 19th. You only have a gain due to all the liquids they pushed during your surgery and don't forget all the swelling. I weighed yesterday and was down 10 lbs. A word of advise, don't get on the scale everyday, you will drive yourself crazy. I wasn't planning on weighing until Wed. but couldn't resist. I will weigh again on Wed., then once a week afterwards. It's also a good idea to take measurements, because when you're in a stall your body will lose inches to adjust. 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 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!!

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!!!

2/8/13 is my day

This is what almost everyone experiences at two weeks. There are various reasons for it.
Estrogen from fat cells is being dumped out into your system, you have been through physical trauma, you can't self soothe with food you are still recovering.
Now in week 3 or so you are going to hit a big stall. Just about everyone does that, too.
If someone around here is good with computer graphics, we need a big infographic for what happens when. You can almost set your calendar by when certain things happen for most people.

First off, HUGE Congrats for your amazing start. I know alot of my head hunger is triggered by emotions. The tragedy in CT is overwhelming, and the place we used to go to bury those feelings isn't an option for us right now. It is a loss to an extent, and something we all have to learn to work through the best we can.
We are also smack in the middle of a very big "eating" season. Cakes, Cookies, candies everywhere we turn. I couldn't turn on the TV this weekend without seeing a commercial for some holiday candy or treat. The very best thing you can do is acknowledge it. (Which you have) This is all such a learning process for all of us, and I'm so happy that folks have the courage to admit when it gets a little trickier. Why not have a sugar free ice pop or SF pudding? Have your little snack if it will help you through, just have a better one than we might have picked before.
Good luck, You're doing AMAZING!!

I was rushing through the airport last night because I found out I wasn't going to get home and had to book a hotel on the other end when I encountered the longest ID review possible. The dude then asked for a second ID which fortunately I had, then he grilled me about my ID information....
Then after calling a supervisor he approves it, leaving me about 3 seconds to book the hotel and he says...ma'am, this ID is really inaccurate and the picture barely resembles you you need to update it before your next flight.
I've only lost 45lbs but my face does look a lot different. I hadn't looked at my DL lately Guess I have to go back and get a new one LOL
I was kind of laughing as I rushed to the plane Which was then held late of course, so all that rushing for nothing...but a nice NSV heh heh

This morning I tried my chocolate shake mix with warm milk, like hot cocoa, and it went down real easy. Mixed it up for me. Good luck!!

Maybe you could start with one top, wear it at home for a bit before you wear it out anywhere.
Yes, I think we get used to what we wear and then feel like fish out of Water with garments that are perhaps a bit nicer.

I like scrambled egg with some LF cheese. My 'mushy' stage doesn't include tuna ( I am looking forward to that!!) Also, I found some great ideas at www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com she has some wonderful recipes and tips.

I like scrambled egg with some LF cheese. My 'mushy' stage doesn't include tuna ( I am looking forward to that!!) Also, I found some great ideas at www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com she has some wonderful recipes and tips.

All I want for Christmas is :
1) to enjoy being with my family
2) realize this is the last Christmas I refuse to let my husband buy me clothes (surgery was Dec 3rd)
3) Celebrate the control I took of my life by having the surgery

Good luck, you will do great!

Happy one week anniversary to all of the 12/3 sleeve friends out there! What a week it has been! To mark the occasion, why don't we all post today about how we feel and what life looks like as of this morning.
My great one week anniversary began this morning when I woke up and realized I was sleeping fully face down, on my stomach, discomfort free! I had been sleeping on my side all week, which was a less than ideal alternative. A few days ago I tried to sleep on my stomach and it just wasn't comfortable. But today, as I woke, I discovered that I had flipped over sometime in the night and all I could think was, "I'm back!!"
Hope you all have a great day!!