Recycled

Hey, I bought a Blendtec (same thing). Great blender, but the bottom line is, you're not gonna be blending everything for very long. So I only use it occasionally to make smoothies. The ads are enticing but they make it seems that you'll be blending all the time. Once you get to whole food, that's pretty much it. Can't really use it for Protein powders, as it creates way too much foamy froth. I use mine mostly to make popsicles and smoothies. (be sure to use frozen fruit) long story short......you can get away with a standard blender. - cheaper.

I know what you mean.....however it's probably the first time in my life I didn't care that the pants I bought last month, which are still like new......no longer fit.......

I doubt it will help you, but most likely, testosterone did it for me. When the body hair grew back, it covered the scars pretty well... . Sorry, couldn't help it......

Downside - It's gonna cost you a bundle $$$$$$ .............on all new clothes, .....

Bag....what bag.....gotta be a chick thing. Wore out what I wore in.......didn't bring anything.

Tell 'em to give you anti-nausea meds. Also surely they have you on IV fluids so skip the drinking and ask for ice chips and a sponge on a stick to moisten your dry lips without drinking.

Haleyk, Ya know, I was obsessed too in the before stage.....maybe i was just trying to find enough info to get serious about it......cause I really didn't seem to be...... I didn't lose a single pound on the six month deal. In fact, I ate more......kinda like a ritual farewell to foods I thought I'd be giving up....(not really, I just liked eating them). You certainly wake up and take it serious after the surgery.(I know, a no brainer) And that is when the thrill of coming out of the shadows and feeling good about yourself will start to appear. You will feel the change first and then see it and each day after the next will be better. Good Luck.

I'm disgusted with how I look and feel...so I finally thought I'd look into Weight loss surgery. Just to see what is available and if If it would work for me. Looked up some local Surgeons and Hospitals on the net and some of the surgeons had free information seminars. So, I'm going to my first seminar tonight.....err..... .I mean support group. (not really for support..I just like showing off the new bod and encouraging others) Confused....don't be The point I'm trying to make is...... it surely seems like I just started the process....... When I thought about getting surgery, I figured I probably wouldn't qualify and the cost was probably more than I could afford....but what the heck, I'm fat and not losing my way, so what could it hurt. Probably won't do it and nutin's gonna change anyway. So I went.... I kinda thought my interests was in the Lap Band. Ya know, the one I've already heard about. I get there and find out there is now three or even four different types of procedures and a whole lot of statistics. Great.....choices.....I didn't expect choices. I wanted sure fire easy. I had my notepad with a bunch of questions and after the surgeon spoke about each procedure, I fired away with several questions about the Band. He was very informative and heightened my interests. There was a few of his patients there that spoke about their processes and experiences and that, I felt was the most convincing. I gave the coordinator my insurance info and thought.....now we'll see what happens. Guess what.....my insurance actually covered WLS. So I made an appointment with the surgeon for a consult. Just a consult...,,,,,,,,,,,,,, .(I thought....I'm not sold yet) So I go to the consult and brief him on my history and goals and my interest in the Band....blah blah blah....and almost straight away he says......the band is not a good fit for you.....you'd be better off gettin the sleeve. Hmmmmm, that took the air outa my sails.....I really wanted the band. ---- OK, I'll think about it. I did think about it....ALOT.....researched everything including the Surgeon, the Hospital, everything I could find about the Sleeve and you'll never guess.......he was right. It made better sense. It sounded radical....but after reading about so many successful outcomes, not really so bad. -( I found Bariatric Pal during this time as well which really helped me get informed the most) I called and started the application for approval. ----- What.!!! six months, are you kidding me....talk about deflated....Oh well, I'll go along....( I probably will change my mind anyway and not get it) Zooooom.....fast forward six,,,seven...eight,,...nine months. Even with a few insurance and tests gliches along the way....I can't believe it went that fast and I'm approved...... Ok,.....here's the big one.........I just got off the phone with the Doc's office and the surgery is scheduled..... in two weeks. Wait, wait, wait......I need MORE time. I'm gonna really do this. Surgery day and I'm in my room recovering.....Damn....I'm still fat and now uncomfortable and haven't lost an ounce. This is gonna take forever.....Bariatric Pal is no help....all they keep sayin is "hang in there" or give it time....blah blah blah......Cmon, I had the surgery..... I should be losing tons already......I wanna see results........This is gonna take forever..... I don't want to think about a year from now.....I got on the scale today four times and it didn't change an ounce. Oh well....might as well sit back and just go with the flow.....and see what happens...... Zoooooooom (yeah, believe it.....I said zooooom. A whole year, just that quick) A HUNDRED &TWENTY POUNDS gone forever and I look and feel fantastic. And I'm headed to the Seminar.....I mean the support group....see, I still get those confused cause I can't believe it went by that fast. Yes, I said FAST. I actually have a hard time remembering the phases along the way.....they kinda blur together. Who cares, I'm here, I'm skinny and you will be too. And you'll think the whole thing happened in a flash. Long story.....short point.......Don't fret the wait.....Like most things in life, time flys.

Hey, squeaky wheel gets the grease..........Speak up! They got wicked pain meds they can give you.....no need to endure the pain needlessly. Tell them the pain is a "10" and you want stronger meds. Keep in mind, once they give you something weaker and it doesn't work, they can't give you more until later......so know what they're giving you and request more effective meds. (ie: morphine, dilaudid etc.) And as far as the gas pains.......maybe some Gas-X might help, but as everyone is saying, walking is the most effective method of elimination and relief. Try to get some sleep too.....makes the time go by faster.....and time is the only real healer. It'll be behind you in no time.....hang in there.

Can't help ya on this one.....got rid of mine when I lost the weight..... pay no attention to me.....I do not belong in here, but I couldn't resist....... but as an added note, I probably coulda used one when I was obese.

If you think the pre-op loss is a thrill......you are in for total exhilaration.....later.. Good job and good attitude. You're gonna do fine.

No suggestions.....but a definite "what you need to do"....bit of advice... Just keep doing what you're doing.....it's only a routine stall and you will resume losing.........and stalling and losing......got the idea..... completely normal.

my number one rule......"never buy anything at the doctors office"......they're rich enough.....(and I'm not) And you're right about costco......I buy alot of stuff there.... and thanks to my Vacuum Sealer, I can package most bulk stuff in smaller sleeve size meals for the freezer.

Here's my advice.......as long as you stay motivated and stick with the process.....just enjoy the losses as they come and keep at it........It will continue !!! It feels slow, but you will keep losing. And the pounds will continue to add up and you will keep getting closer and closer to your goal. What feels good today will feel even greater in a couple of weeks. Soon you will settle in and relax knowing you will get there. I am getting so used to my new bod, I constantly look back on the very few pics I ever took of me obese to constantly remind me and to keep me strong willed to avoid any backsliding. I used to keep all my clothes in my closet as I outgrew them (hoping I would fit in them again someday) Now my closet only has all new stuff......even the smallest ones I kept became too big. Goodwill got everything else. Keep up the good work dude.....See you at your goal...

Follow-up....... It's amazing how a milestone can feel so elusive or distant along the way and then when we reach it......we can't wait to set an even more difficult one.... I just reached my "onederland" milestone and in almost the next breath, I anxiously jumped ahead of the goal I set at the beginning.........and secretly was thinking I might even pushing my ultimate goal to losing a few more pounds past my original goal, to give me some fudge (whoops, poor choice of words)......wiggle room later when I'm in maintenance. This process can get addictive......in a good way.... Oh, well.....who am I to argue.....all smiles here......Everyone have a great day....

At the beginning you'll have what may seem to be important expectations that may be of concern to you....ie: loose skin....etc. but as time goes on, you'll simply enjoy your new emerging body and energy and will just adapt to whatever little imperfections linger along the way. With 150 lbs to lose and having been obese for quite a while, it's likely that losing rather quickly will result in some loose skin. I have lost 120 in a year and made the gym and exercise my main staple during the whole process and there still is some loose skin. It bother's me enough that I'm self conscious in a bathing suit (or naked) but it is easily concealed with clothes. And with clothes I look completely normal and feel fantastic. Getting a tummy tuck or some form of plastic surgery is on my bucket list, but not a priority for the immediate future. I'm too busy enjoying my new bod and the things I can do with it..... In other words........it'll be what it will be and you won't care so much then.....so stop worrying.... Your right about us guys not puttin' many pics......I'll try and take some before'n'after and post them, but don't hold your breath.

Well, at just over a year from surgery, I finally reached onederland and I can see the finish line...... I just can't express what a great feeling it is.......

Drink it now cause you never know. I drank lots of skim milk before my surgery. Then, for reasons unknown after, I could not tolerate it. I tried, but it just quite agree with me. Guess I suddenly became lactose intolerant. (Even with skim) So now I drink Smart Balance Lactose free, fat free milk and it's OK. I know, I know.... long story and who cares........Just saying ya never know what little crazy things might change.

OK, unless you're related to that stretchy rubber guy on "FantasticFour" the after shots are not going to be pretty. But that is fixable. But you will be healthy.....an obviously much more important priority, right?

Then knock it off......what are you doing eating sweets anyway....

Ok, I get ya....... The first few months, I could only fit about 3 ounces......now, a year out, I fit about 6. Even at six ounces there is absolute notable restriction. (I am reminded immediately if I fudge it). I'm no expert, but I don't think it's stretching as much as it heals and relaxes more than in the first few months.

1. YES 2. As time goes on, I have to remind myself I actually had the surgery. My worries about what would change were unfounded.

All the stats don't really mean much. In the end it's gonna be up to you. My surgery helped me to get the bulk of my weight off very quickly, then seemed to slow to a halt. However, It got me.....no, that's incorrect..... I got me that far.....And there is no reason I can't get all the way to where I really want to be. You can too. The process will help you develop the habits to eat and exercise and lose or maintain your weight much better than anything before ever worked.. Just use those methods and new habits to accomplish whatever weight you choose. Good luck

If you use them.......they will work.!! Doesn't matter, just do it. Whatever you can, as often as you can.

Try more Protein based foods. They maintain the feeling of fullness longer. How fast can you stretch your stomach????? This should not be something you need an answer to.......try to think of it as "under no circumstances do you want to do anything to stretch your sleeve." That is the primary reason I got the surgery. Bottom line --- I eat alot less due to the tiny sleeve and "any overeating by me could damage the sleeve and cause me all kinds of complications" (ie: fearfactor) Works for me. In other words, I needed something to force me to comply with what was needed to stay on track. And the danger of causing complications does the trick. So, stop looking for escape routes and just stick to the guidelines and you'll be fine......no, you'll be better then fine......you'll be a healthy, smaller, more svelte you.......Good luck