asmaclare

As I've gotten older I've noticed a natural increase in hair loss. I'm now pretty worried about it post op. I have seen posts of people having loss but most say others don't notice. Has anyone NOT experienced it???

I have and maybe I am being dense but its not very intuitive I was wanting to hear more from people who have actually used them and see why they prefer one over the other.

Can anyone tell me the major difference between the zip and the one?

Can anyone tell me the major difference between the zip and the one?

What is the original one?

What is the advantage of fitbit one over the zip? So far I can see that : 1. tracks sleep 2. altimeter Anything else you can think of? I am trying to figure out which one to get!

Does the zip not have an altimeter?

Loose skin was the last thing I was worried about.. I was afraid of the massive lifestyle change and commitment to this process. As well as more immediate concerns about the surgery itself and possible complications.

I haven't felt that way but I can understand why you would. My surgery was 4/18 and I have lost 33 lbs which makes 79 lbs total since March 2012. Prior to surgery people would mention my weight loss if they hadn't seen me in a long time. Now it feels like everyone is saying something and it really does feel good. I don't think there is one time that I haven't smiled ear to ear when someone says something. I am sure that will sort of peter out in the months to come but it really has helped my self confidence. It's weird, when I look in the mirror with the intent to check myself, I don't really see a difference. But there are times where I'll walk past a window and notice my reflection in passing, I've caught myself just stopping and thinking, "Who is this???" I think we all have body image issues and of course those are more prominent when we are in situations (like in a bathing suit on public display surrounded by skinny folk with cute bodies) but I hope that some day I'll start to feel more normal. Just hang in there. I think things will start to change for you!

I'm 7 weeks out and I've tolerated everything.

I am not sure. This is something I've been thinking about. I have noticed that the things I enjoyed a lot before aren't the same now though and I think it really has to do with the not being a me to eat as much as I want. For example.... Before I really liked complex flavors. Like for instance pico de gallo mixed in with a taco or fajita, the taste of curry and rice together, and baked potato topped with sautéed onions and mushrooms. These things I can still eat but I have to try to think about getting the protein in first. I'd I have room then I will for the "sides" and even then I can only have a few bites. I don't think I get to enjoy all the flavors in the combinations that I want because I can't get big enough bites with all the stuff I want to develop the flavor profiles I likes before and enjoyed. I hope that makes sense. Now that I think about it more its kinda depressing I'm 6 weeks out. In addition, coffee doesn't taste as good but I think that's again because I am not drinking it with breakfast. I am still craving coke zero but haven't had it. I don't want to risk that given the guidelines. My sweet tooth is definitely less but I will have a piece of chocolate here and there but I don't get the same omg enjoyment from it anymore. And uh that's all I can think of right now Good luck!!

I was sleeved 4/18. I have a pretty intense job- a resident in medicine so I have long hours and often a 24 hour call. My weight management doctor suggest 4 weeks in case there were any issues. I could have gone back by 2 weeks. I still had low energy but it was managable. I think you should be fine- but what kind of work do you do? I was more nervous and anxious about a month before but once everything started lining in to place I became less nervous the week before. I told myself listen you're doing it and just keep the negative thoughts out. I also stopped coming to the forum the week before. I would see great posts about people's progress which was uplifting and encouraging but every time I saw a post about someone having a hard time- that weighed on me a lot more heavily. The first 5 days was rough for me because I had pain every time I ate or drank something. It wasnt horrible but I was getting concerned like gosh is it always going to be like this? And then literally on day 6 all of that pain was gone. I still had incision and abdominal wall soreness but that was completely gone by 2.5 weeks. Just over 4 weeks out now without any pain. I was on puréed since day 3 and regular since week 3. I've been advancing somewhat slowly but so far so good. I have not vomited at all and have tolerated everything I've had including steak, chicken, veggie burger, salad, soft fruits, eggs. I've lost 24 lbs as of week 4 and more since I think but haven't weighed again. I started at 259 Everyone's experience is different so take what I say with a grain of salt! I have been following many who were sleeved the same month as I have and overall everyone is doing quite well. Only one person that I know of with a major complication - bleeding spleen that had to be removed during procedure but as I understand they are doing well now. Some people have had problems with "things getting stuck", not tolerating certain foods (ie: eggs) or not being able to eat more than a couple oz at a time- which I don't think is abnormal. If I eat 2-3 oz I am usually very comfortable but there have been times I pushed it to 4 oz and while I was very full I haven't gotten that omg I am going to die feeling. I've been lucky I think but there are so many others that are happy with their progress. Don't get me wrong it's not a walk in the park.. It's the learning curve that has been the most difficult for me- weighing food, knowing what hungry, satisfied, and over full feel like. I'm still getting used to not eating and drinking at the same time. I have not had the feeling of omg what did I do? Not have I regretted it yet... So here's hoping that stays the same and I wish you the best of luck. Honestly I would take the week before your surgery and stay off the boards. Unless for some reason you feel a lot better about it when you do read... If youve done your research and not making a hasty decision, then you should know whether is the right choice for you! Just take deep breaths every time you get nervous and remind yourself why you think this is the best thing for you. I also wrote a list of all the things I looked forward to after surgery and the closer I got to goal.. And would look at that when I felt nervous thought it really helped. Okay I am ending my novel now. The very best luck to you!

Ross and Khols!

I am not sure where anyone can come off saying that if you are a smoker then the sleeve is not right for you. I don't think it's anyone's right to say that. except for maybe your surgeon because they are taking the risk of doing a surgery on you that _could_ (not will) lead to complications. That being said, if you were able to quit pre-op and have not smoked since surgery.. KEEP IT UP! You can do it! If you're really fighting those urges then I'd go out and get an e-cigarette. Some of kind of expensive but I have seen the throw away ones at gas stations for $10 and it supposedly lasts a whole pack. I'd try to use that for those extreme cravings you're having but don't don't don't go back to the cigs. You really can do it and I think the hardest part for you is already over! Keep it up You're doing awesome.

I can't wait til I can have coffee. I've been drinking tea in the mornings which I would often have pre sleeve but I don't like it as much as I used to.

Omg I am in love with peanut butter now and it does curb my cravings! I need to be careful with it though because I've found myself going back for more and need to stop myself! It's weird how it also provides just enough sweetness because before it didnt taste like that for me.

I don't know exactly. I am only 11 days out though. I'm confused by all the feelings in my tummy these days. I do get am empty gnawing feeling if I haven't eaten in few hours and I think that's real hunger. However it does sometimes go away if I drink more. Other times it comes back within a few minutes and if it does I am convinced that's why hunger feels like now. Head hunger for me is the sense of eating to taste something without the sensation of me having that feeling. I have it about an hour after I've eaten something and I think it's just the fattie in me that wants more if my tummy isn't stuffed to the brim.

Yes! Someone told me the same thing. When I told her I weighed 259 lbs she couldn't believe it!

I had horrible spasms any time I ate or drank something, and even intermittently in between for several days post op. The turning point for me was POD 5-6. Hang in there! It does get better! I was afraid that my stomach was going to feel like that any time I ate or drank. The pain medications really did help. The spasms didn't go away but it did ease the pain when I did eat or drink anything. It took a while for me to figure that out and I got a little dehydrated in between because the pains were pretty bad even when drinking fluids. Also I think getting out and walking helped a bit. In addition, I found that if I drank out of a GLASS rather than a water bottle or whatever kind of bottle, that I did better at getting fluids in. I think I was drinking more air with the bottles. Good luck and hang in there!

I am on pureed and am having refried beans. I chew / move it around in my mouth with each bite so that it's a pureed consistency. I melt a bit of cheese and put a dollop of sour cream on top with chalula hot sauce. Has been my favorite meals so far.

What's your favorite tracking app? I'm looking for a good app to track protein, calories, carbohydrates, and exercise. I've only used weight watchers so I have no idea what most people use! Thanks!

Sleeved April 18. This morning I woke up feeling very weak and emotionally labile. I've had consistent pains which are improving. The pain that bothers me the post is a sharp squeezing cramping rolling sort of pain. The first 2-3 days it was higher up i my stomach and now I feel it sort of further down. It was happening intermittently as well as when I sipped something. It has lessened today but I haven't had anything except tea and Water so far today. I started off the same way yesterday feeling pretty good (although was less weak yesterday) and the pains became more frequent thought it the day. Yesterday I was only able to get in about 40 oz of fluids which included tea, fruit2o and Protein shake. I also felt I was hungry (although I am still not exactly sure I am interpreting that correctly yet) My program allows puréed foods from day 3, so I had 1/4 cup of strained broccoli cheese Soup, 2 oz of puréed tuna and a sf chocolate pudding through the day. I felt very full by the end of the day. I have not had a bowel movement yet but am passing gas. I'm taking gas ex and colace twice daily. I've been walking around the house but think I'm going to take a long walk outside today to try to get things moving better. So for today: 1. Increase liquids (in case the weakness if from dehydration) 2. Milk of mag 3. Walking 4. Maybe more Protein shakes Did anyone else have these similar pains? Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks!

I am looking forward to the opposite! My husband has always been a little bigger than me but I could wear his shirts no problem, but they FIT. I can't wait until I put on one of his shirts and it swims on me Yaaaay. That'll feel good.

Wow wow wow. My surgery is Thursday and I'm starting to get nervous and scared again. This is exactly what I needed to see. Congrats to you!!!

My surgeon discouraged it. Well he said none in the first 4 weeks and to be strict about it. But he encouraged me to stop all together if I was going a month without it anyway. He said if I must he wouldn't do more than 1 per day and to make sure that it's watered down or has a lot of skim milk in it. I don't know what I'll do. I love my coffee. I want to be healthy but I don't want to deprave myself of everything I enjoy I've never had problems with stomach ulcers or reflux, so I am thinking if the sleeve doesn't change that, I will go ahead and have my coffee