GypsyQueen

Returned this morning from a 5 day cruise, and I cheated in sooo many ways... Did you know croissants melt? That's pretty much where every day began and my eating choices didn't improve from there. Can I just say how much I appreciate my sleeve and the restriction it provides? It was my saving grace! Now it's time to get back to occasional cheating.

Please, please, please don't keep this to yourself. Speak to your doctor ASAP. The thread is a lark, true confessions, but we're just having fun. Yours is super serious and you need to talk to someone before your life is in serious danger. Do Not Wait! My heart is breaking for you.

During purée stage, I made tacos for the kids' dinner and decided to try it. meat, cheese and sour cream blended nicely. On vacation, I had a beignet. I chew gum ALOT. I have a glass of Cheerwine (a regional soda) and a slice of pizza on Tuesday nights (not every, but occasionally). I can eat the crust, use a straw and soda is not flat or diet. It's the only place in town it's on tap, so it's a special treat. Sleeve o' Steel here, but I behave at home usually. Too bad I'm boarding a cruise ship in the morning! Thank goodness I don't like chocolate!

My surgeon would say never, ever, not now, not later should you eat those crap foods. BUT we all go through the mental struggle and sometimes we need a food funeral like saying goodbye to a security blanket. Fact is, one can eat most of those foods again very soon post op if we try. The decision not to do it AFTER surgery is the more important one.

One ml, once a month.

Congratulations on all of your hard work and wishing you continued success on living such a healthy lifestyle and providing all of us with such support and inspiration.

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I'm 5'3" and my goal is 155, which is what I weighed when I got married. I'm 2 lbs away! But on the BMI chart, it is 140 to be under 25, so we shall see as I'm only 4 mo. post op. I already feel too baggy in my skin.

It's definitely more fun when strangers make a fuss!

I did deviled eggs puree and they were the most delicious eggs ever!

I looked online and several news agencies were carrying the story.

I don't get on VST until bedtime and it puts me to sleep! Lol! Kidding, sort of. Caffeine was my vice via soda prior to surgery. I averaged 5-6 hrs sleep a night. I really thought that would change once I ditched caffeine. It did not. Once I go to sleep, I'm okay, but man, getting there takes forever. Currently 12:25am...

The story did mention both, but described the sleeve. I hope it helps that child, but I sure wish it hadn't come to that either.

I try to keep it to 3 meals a day, and not snack. I don't do any Protein shakes, but use milk w/ Fiber and Vitamins as my in between. Today's example Boiled egg Sm pumpkin muffin (homemade, but not sugar free) Mid-morning 1/2% milk w/fiber (I mix skim and a dash of 2% organic together) Late lunch (1-2ish) salad w/meat dinner (5-6ish) 1/2 pork chop Green Beans Milk (same as above) If I need a snack, I work in a yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese or a small handful of nuts w/ a fruit. I average 1000 calories, 63-78g protein and 80oz fluid/day. A few months out and a little better capacity than others, I think.

I was on soft foods by day 9, so you are not hurting yourself. BUT you really should stick with your doctor's plan. Time will pass quickly and the next stage will be here before you know it. Best of luck!

Congrats Big Country! Having more visible veins is a goal of mine too, just not for the same reason. I blew so many IV's in the hospital, ugh! It will be proof of my improved health.

I have severe osteoarthritis. Everywhere. Giving up NSAIDs was my absolute biggest fear. I went through a transition from Mobic and Voltaren Gel to topicals and Tylenol, then Tramadol and ice. The pain has diminished with the weight loss everywhere except for in my fingers. I still have days I'd like to chop one of those off, but weight bearing joints have fared much better than I expected.

I did a lot of gentle massaging over my clothes. I did it to sooth the itching, but it actually helps soften the scar tissue. I am 4 mo. post op today and you cannot feel my large incision at all, totally smooth. Just a fun fact.

Height - 5'3" HW - 237 SW - 195 CW - 158 Surgery Date - 5/17/13 Total Lost - 79lbs (42 pre op, 37 post op) Goal - 140 18 lbs to go!!!

I agree with the others who say don't shop until you need it. I wasted a lot of money on (many) things I thought I would need and have not used. I started non-thickening, tasteless fiber in my milk during 6 month preop and have continued daily. Still constipated, regardless. It's different for everybody, and trial and error with what works.

This is just my opinion, but I think there are a lot of things that we are told that are meant to protect us from ourselves or as a blanket rule for something a percentage of people may experience. The straw, for example, is certainly something that helped lead many of us to obesity. We can down sodas/milkshakes/slurpees/etc. so much faster, right? Some people may experience the gas/air issue, but many do not. If it is a blanket rule, many will listen and follow orders that will help them avoid having possible gas issues and probably (more importantly) falling back into old habits. Gum and popcorn are other popular topics. There may be valid reasons to avoid all of these items, but done "responsibly", they are probably fine.