firelle

I'm looking at the binder of info my surgeon's office gave me, and it says I won't be able to donate blood any more after having the sleeve. Why's that?

I've only had this sensation when eating hot and spicy beef jerky on an empty stomach. Do you have the burning feeling all the time? After eating?

You can TOTALLY tell! Your face and neck look noticeably thinner, and so does your tummy! Your graduation picture looks amazing - I love your hair Congratulations on your Masters!!!

Kayluc, I can really see the difference. You look great, and I also like your shirts. I'm similar to you - started at 340, my highest weight ever, and am now 280. I don't see a difference much when I look in the mirror, perhaps my tummy doesn't stick out as far as it used to, I can't really tell. But I had to put jeans away in the closet: size 32, 30, and my 28s are large now. I had to buy my first belt, otherwise I'm constantly hiking up the 28s so they don't fall down. I can't find any of my smaller size jeans, thought I had some!! My underwear are loose and saggy. Very attractive. I am starting to feel like my skin is loose on my arms. Exciting!! I think I look like a melting candle or something, but I have so much more energy already, it's amazing and exhilarating.

Sleeved 2/26 and doing great. But you can STILL see the light red square mark where the tape was that kept my post-incision dressing on (over the drain tube hole). I changed the dressing and tape a couple times daily, and only had it on for about 5 days total right after surgery. The tape itched like a mofo.

Thanks! I'll keep looking, or try the Amazing Grass or Garden of Life. I ordered a really nice Ninja blender from Amazon, as my old smoothie maker has bit the dust from too many green smoothies and frozen bananas. Once it comes, I want to try smoothies with chia seeds and this superfood green powder.

I wasn't able to find Tonic Alchemy on Amazon, but did find it here: http://livesuperfoods.com/tonic-alchemy.html Is this where you ordered it from? Unfortunately it's out of stock, but I would like to try it when they have more.

I already feel like a whole new person! My confidence is much much higher. I've cut my hair short after having super long hair for years and "hiding" behind it. I bought crazy bright neon Skechers sneakers, when I'm used to wearing mostly black so I don't stand out. Have gotten a ton of compliments on both the hair and shoes (even the big burly mechanic, when I got my oil changed, said "I just have to tell you, I really love your shoes." lol). My car is an ancient tan tiny 2 door Cavalier, and I'm test driving a big bright light blue used Ford Edge SUV. I just feel great. People are noticing my weight loss. I've put the fat jeans away. Should give them away or toss them. Most of the jeans in my dresser are now too big!

Yeah, I just meant not drinking while eating. If I can have a little bit of cereal and milk now and then, I'll be a happy girl! Sent from my EVO using VST

Is cereal pretty much off limits forever because it's eaten with milk? Sent from my EVO using VST

Well, I'm 5 weeks out as of yesterday, and able to transition from soft to solid foods. Last night I had half a slice of very toasted toast with peanut butter. Chewed each bite to an applesauce consistency. It tasted great, but I felt overly full for a couple hours after. Back to soft foods today. What did you guys begin with when you started solids? Sent from my EVO using VST

Ate canned corned beef hash for supper...... It was good, actually. I'm tired of this soft foods phase! Have been stalled at the same weight for a week now, ever since I had that stomach flu. I'm not worrying too much, as it seems everyone stalls around this point.

It feels so good to be UNDER 300 finally!!!!!

My surgeon didn't do a leak test. And he said some people get drains, some don't. Everyone is different. I had a drain overnight in the hospital, another of his patients there didn't. No worries!!

Welcome and best of luck on your journey.

Yep! I switched surgeons to one that was several hours away, with no problem! Insurance accepted everything I had completed with the previous surgeon (NUT visits, psych eval, etc), and the office was friendly about forwarding all my records to my new surgeon. I had to go there in person and sign a release form, and then they sent them to the new office and gave me a personal copy of it all. They're not allowed to charge for the info, BUT they CAN charge you for the paper, which is silly. No one gave me any hassle, insurance, old surgeon office, and new surgeon office. Best of luck to you!!

Silly question - I've never really eaten cottage cheese before. I know it's a good choice for the soft food stage, so I bought a tub of it. Now what? I don't know if I want to eat it plain!

First day back to work today. I haven't been up this early in awhile! And I can't have coffee until 2 months out. I'm tired and hope the day goes smoothly and quickly. Still getting over this stomach flu, but it seemed to mostly last 24 hours. What's really bothering me right now is that I took my pills (blood pressure, migraine med, zoloft, iron, and the acid reducer) on an empty stomach while getting ready and my stomach felt like it was going to implode. Just spent the last 20 minutes trying to not throw up, and nurse down some yogurt. Ugh, I won't be doing that any time soon again. I work in a lab, so it's not strenuous. My big concern is getting enough liquids and food in. I've been doing fine on my liquids here at home, and eating some protein every 3 hours. But at work, we have to change shoes, put on hairnet, safety glasses, lab coat, gloves, etc. It's kind of a hassle to go from the lab to the break room and back, and we can't have anything to eat or drink in the lab. Plus, when I'm actively working with samples, I'm not going to be able to just stop and go take a drink in the break room. Well, if that's my biggest worry, I guess that's ok. I've been wearing comfy things like PJ pants since my surgery (unless I go out), and was surprised at how loose my fat girl jeans are this morning! I'm going to have to hike them up over my muffin top rolls just to get them to stay up!

About Time has a peanut butter protein shake flavor! (They also have a yummy mocha mint, but that's unrelated) You can get a sample pack of 2 packets for $3.99 no shipping cost. http://www.tryabouttime.com

Right on! I was just thinking the other day that walking up our stairs didn't hurt the knees nearly as much anymore, too!

LOL Guess I'll be raiding my daughter's stash. Surgeon's office said Pepto and Immodium are fine to take, so I took both and am keeping my fingers crossed. PhilyNurse - Did you all have it around the same time? That would be beyond horrible!

Well, daycare called and said there's an outbreak of stomach flu with the kids there. Guess that answers my question. Sorry everyone! I've lost 4 lbs since yesterday morning thanks to this.

This is TMI. I'm sorry. I'm worried and wondering if anyone can offer an idea. I'm so sick right now and not sure what's going on. On Friday night, my 3 year old daughter threw up three times in her bed, then on Sat and Sun she had loose stools. She also has a cough and runny nose. Last night, right before bed, I had diarrhea, and since midnight last night (12 hrs ago) have had it every 30min-1hr. I didn't get any sleep last night because of this. I've gone at least 16 times but lost count. Each time it seems like a lot. I also threw up 3 times. The first time was what looked like spit or foam, and the other two times were dry heaves for several minutes. I'm so weak and exhausted and thirsty, and my butt freaking hurts. I couldn't keep Water down during the night at all, but just now I finished a glass, which prompted a run to the bathroom again. The thought of food makes me feel sick to my stomach. Do you think I just caught my daughter's bug, but much worse? Or could this be sleeve related? Edit: This is the first time anything like this has happened since my surgery. My first time throwing up since then too.

Yum! Thanks so much, you guys! These are all excellent suggestions. I can't wait to try them!!

LOL Ejami! You cheated for a hot dog? You're really going all out!