newat52

And you don't have worry about spills! Whatever work, I say! Congrats on your new sleeve. You're gonna love it!

Um....excuse me....but that is not even close to a small accomplishment. That is BIG one! That is fantastic. When you really think about it how much walking it takes to get through any Walmart? Big, I say! Congrats! One step at a time but that is a big one! :)

That was the one drink I was told was off limits forever. I LOVE me a good frozen Margarita. Mexican food and Margaritas go together like peas and carrots! That was the only "food funeral" I had. I will no longer drink them. Just too much sugar and don't even get started with the calories for one small one! I miss them. Alot. :( That being said, my plan with my surgeon and NUT are perfectly ok with after 6 weeks as long as things are going well. Eating, liquids and such. I have a couple glasses of wine every weekend. I no longer drink white wine as red has so many health benefits. I understand I could be a few pounds lighter by not having it till I hit goal but the plan my NUT has me on is getting to my new normal as soon as possible and the weight will come off. The thinking is that I will be 9-12 months into healthy eating instead of transitioning yet again in a 6-9 months. They stress it's not a race to get to goal. It's a slow and steady journey. I know there are SO many different school of thoughts on this, everyone has to do what is best for them. But in the end, I would say wait until you are healed, that seems to be about the 6 week mark at the minimum and would not try it in public to start with.

It's working, it's really working! I can't believe I am 3 months post op today. As I wake up today, I am dragging 48 total pounds less out of bed. I am walking around, exercising and living 48 pounds lighter. Hard to believe. 48 pounds that I will never, ever see again! I tried lifting a 40 item the other day in Ikea and could barely get it off the ground. How on earth did I walk around with 24/7?? 13 pounds pre operative lost and 35 post operative. I am over the moon about this. I know lots of people lose faster and I am thrilled for them, (and secretly wish I was them) but I am so happy with my loss thus far. Only about 4 or so pounds came off this month but seems like my size diminished more this month than ever. I was busting out of an 18W pre surgery and yesterday slipped into the size 12 cute shorts with the embroidered pockets (yes, even mom shorts can be cute! I have no intention of dressing like a 20 year old) I bought them my first shopping trip after surgery and fell in love with them. Couldn't get them past my thighs much less covering my rear! Luck has been on my side, I must say that I had a very easy surgery and recovery. I followed my surgeon and NUT instructions (outside of using a straw a week early) and it has served me well. I am aware that there are a good number of people who, while following instructions to a T are not having as easy a time as I have. I am very grateful that has not been the case for me. I can eat anything now. I just eat WAY less. The eating plan that I am on with my NUT does not call for extremely low carbs. It calls for as balanced as I can get it, keeping in mind the Protein first, veggies/fruits second and have not made it to the carbs part as there just isn't room. We go out for a burger a few times per month and I have a few fries (5-6) and no bun. That has been the only carb that I have had any room for. They are good, but not the end all. I have not yet tried any breads, Pasta or sugars mostly because I have not craved them. That could be a slippery slope for me and so I choose not to go there yet till my feet are firmly planted. I am still finding my way. It seems something has clicked for me. I look at food differently. The surgery was on my stomach, not my head but so far, my brain is wrapping around the changes well. I hope that continues. I am well aware the hardest part has yet to come. For most of us life long dieters, sticking with the plan is easy. Till we don't. Sometime, I know I will eat a cracker, tortilla chip or cookie. How will I handle it? I hope and pray well. I believe I was ready to make the life long changes. I won't know for sure till there is no "off limits" foods. I do know that I can never go back to the way things were before. I couldn't do any longer, that is why I made this very difficult decision to have this surgery. It must be a life change for me. I feel like my life is back (mostly) to my new normal. I don't think about food and how I am going to get my nutrition constantly any longer. I go to happy hour with my friends. I enjoy a glass of wine. Even in a Mexican restaurant. In Texas, Tex Mex is a food group. chips are on the table before you can settle into your seat. They don't seem to bother me any longer. Honestly, I do miss a good frozen Margarita. That is one thing I will not indulge in again. Just way too much sugar. I love wine so I still enjoy. No one notices what I eat or don't eat. We are all way to busy catching up. 99% of the time I can find something on the menu that is not only healthy, but that I enjoy. I love food. I always will. Again, I am lucky, not too picky of an eater. Poultry, beef and fish are all yummy to me. If can't find anything I will ask for a grilled chicken breast and grilled veggies even if it's not on the menu. Never be afraid to ask. I enjoy a couple glasses of wine on the weekends. (all totally OK with surgeon and NUT) I realize I could be a few more pounds down the road if I didn't but one thing my NUT does stress is to get to my new normal as soon as possible and not look at it as a diet. Look at it as the rest of my life. Eat like a thin person from the start. Getting to goal in 4 months is not the object of the game. Eating right and yes, enjoying life is. It should take 9-12 months. That is the plan I am on, which I know differs from others. It works for me and I am loving it. Difficulties so far is I need to be better at getting to the gym. I have not mastered it. At all. I don't like it one bit. I know it is necessary but if I can find an excuse NOT to go? Well, I will say THAT I have mastered. :wacko: No bueno! I do go, not nearly as often as I should. Someone PLEASE send some tough love my way. My big girl panties fall down a bit in this area. In my defense, I am way more active around the house and garden. We also have pool so I do use that for exercise. No excuse. All in all, I am thrilled with my new life. I am healthier then I have ever been in my adult life. My blood pressure is normal, as are ALL my vital levels, LDL, HDL tryglycerides and the list goes on. My husband is amazed at the change in me. He tells me the biggest change is inside me. He travels for work each week and when he comes home, he can also see the physical change. He has been my rock. I am a lucky girl to have been his wife for the last 33 years. :wub: I know the most challenging part is yet to come. I feel strong, and healthy enough, physically and emotionally to handle what comes. I look forward to see what the next 3 months are like. Sorry this is so long, lots of reflecting and thinking going on my little head today.

Hmm...we could start there with your first issue.

The overwhelming majority of Texans do not behave like this, you are right about that. No matter if they were born here or not. Most are very nice people. Most. Having lived here for 23 years, my friends, neighbors and acquaintances that are Texas born are for the very most part, humble and respectful people. Its the ones who think and speak like this that gives Texas the reputation that most of the country has of it. It's not good. Everyone sees it except the ones who are responsible for it. They are not always the sharpest tool in the shed, bless their hearts. I do get asked about "those" Texans from family and friends that don't live here. They ask me how I can stand it. I tell them in all honesty, "those" ones are few and far between. Arrogance and obnoxious are not attributes that most Texans and people in general aspire to, except the Baptist bible thumpers who preach it in church every Wednesday and Sunday but then conveniently forget what they just learned as soon as they are out of the parking lot. So please folks, don't let the very few give you the wrong impression. 23 years of observation.

It is so easy. The whole procedure takes less than 5 minutes. They basically burn via several ways your uterine lining. You will have cramps that night. They will give you meds for it and the next day you will feel fine. I was having periods that lasted 8-9 days. Have a week or so off and then start over again. It has made such a positive impact in my life. Not only are the cramps mostly gone, they used to double me over. Most of the PMS symptoms are gone too.

Ask your GYN about ablation procedure. Fixed my heavy periods. I don't have them anymore. Should hit the big M before they come back. As long as you are done birthin babies and you have heavy periods, your doc will probalby do it. Best thing I did in my 40's. Sleeve is best thing I have done thus far in my 50's!

Yes. Relax. You are doing everything right. You will go through periods when nothing comes off the scale. During these times, lots of people lose inches. I have only lost about 4 pounds in the last month. Our bodies just needs time to catch up. The weight will come off. It has no choice. :-) Easy to say, hard to believe when you are doing everything right. Keep doing what you are doing and it will come off. :-)

I get thirsty after meals too. I have to move my glass because I have been known to drink without realizing it. Old habits die hard!

For sure. Rude is never cool.

Ker pow!!! I saw that on Mythbusters! I ain't goin there girlie!

Sometimes people just can't see the forest for the trees. Bless her heart!

I will be 3 months exactly tomorrow. My starting weight was 220 pre op. I lost 13 on pre op and as of today weighed in at 172. That adds up to 35 post op and a grand total of 48. Yay me! Soon it will be yay you too!

I did not feel hunger post surgery. I was on clear liquids for 1 week, then full liquids for 2 more. When I went to full liquids, I had my shake in the morning then ate soup at logical meal times to try and get a sense of normal. With the shake in the morning, I had soup 3 more times. I also was sipping Isopure all day. It made it easy to get the protein in.

Good luck tomorrow Gayle, You will be so happy you did this!

Congrats! Update that ticker girl! Take those 3 pounds! I'm 3 months out tomorrow and I have 2 more pounds to add to mine but waiting till "the anniversary" to do it! Hope you are feeling as good as I do!

Talk about a hit and run! Wonder if we'll ever know?

Why tell them anything? Just because someone asks me a question, doesn't require me to answer. I would answer with a question such as why would you ask such a personal question? They will most likely answer it with, well I'm just curious. Then just say, yes, I can see that. Then walk away. If you are not comfortable with that, when someone asks how you are losing, just say one, pound at a time, or the hard way. Both true. Good luck!

Wow! Really?? Are you just having a bad day or did you mean to be so rude and judgmental? Just curious as to why.

Dang! And I was just about to go get the popcorn and watch the show!

Ha! Not quite all Ha! Not quite all of it. My surgeon and NUT say it's ok to drink up to the time you start eating as Water passes quickly. I have do this often and it's not an issue. Now after.....THAT is the cardinal rule!

Are you eating that pudding I told you to make? Don't make me open a can of whoop ass!

Gotta admit, I kind of chuckled at this. I woke up and when I realized where I was all I could think is WTF have I done? Did I REALLY do this? Then it was like, yes, sleep. Sleep is good. :-) Hunger never entered my mind. No telling where our mind takes us. :-) Good luck to you! You will do great!

I love The Nature's Bounty brand. It's 5,000 meg of Biotin so just one per day is all that is needed and the pill is tiny. Just a tad smaller than a Benedryl. I get them at CVS when they are BOGO.