melody2

it's a lot to read and try to remember. i finally created a notebook and kept everything in one place. and definitely write down things your NUT or doctor told you during the pre-op visits. there were times after surgery that i couldn't remember an instruction and had to refer back to my notes. wait...a minute...maybe that's just me and an age thing.
good luck with your surgery!

At first it's difficult to distinguish between "head hunger full" and "stomach full." Your tummy is full but your head says, "Really....that's it....that's all you're eating...." For me, tummy full means a few hiccups followed by a, "Hmmm.....will it hurt if I finish that last bite." I've learned the "will it hurt" thought appears because yes, I have consumed too much at times and had to walk around to get rid of that, "Oh my gosh...I just ate Thanksgiving dinner twice and I'm miserable," feeling. As your tummy heals, it will let you know when it's full.

If my insurance had not paid I would have considered this option. I love my sleeve and the weight loss so far. More importantly, I love how I'm growing and changing in other ways, beyond the scale. I don't judge the individuals who had surgery in Mexico. Like me, they too wanted a new lease on life. I think they talk more about their surgery in Mexico as a way to reassure others who are considering. Let's face it--when you mention having surgery in Mexico you immediately think the worse. There experience ease the minds of others who are scheduled and I think that's a win-win. And, I've posted comments about my wonderful surgeon in the US. It's call living in the "social media" age and sharing life experiences. Sure, it's marketing, in a way of sorts, but no one is twisting your arm to share you life experiences.

Way to go! Happy dance...happy dance! Thank you for sharing. It motivates me to keep moving forward.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery. These are the things I had on hand:
- Clear chicken broth
- sugar free popsickles
- Isopure drinks
- Premier Protein drinks
- Cream of chicken Soup
- sugar free pudding
- Sugar free Jello

It does get easier each day. And remember, now that the "pre-surgery" and "surgery" high has worn off, and things return to normal, you'll experience that sense of "let down" and wonder if the surgery was worth it. It was! Before long you'll feel better and can do all the things you missed...well...except maybe eat that cheeseburger. You got this. You can do it. Be gentle with yourself and remember that you don't have to be perfect.

I admire anyone who can drink Muscle Milk. It's not for the faint hearted.

Best decision ever! Wish I would of done it sooner Is my only regret!!!

I had a small kitkat aft 2 months!!is it okay to indulge in a small choc sometimes!!?

As a coffee snob prior to surgery, I worried about this too. Let's just say a quad Grande Skinny vanilla Latte was my passion each morning. Yep...a quad. Sometimes I had more coffee in the afternoon, of course nothing as mundane as the grocery story brand (did I mention coffee snob). Sooo....after surgery....five weeks later, I ordered my old standby and found, to my dismay, that coffee didn't have the same appeal. I took a few sips and my tummy (sleeve) said, "Ok...that's enough." Now, I drink maybe 1/4 cup of just black coffee from the work breakroom...yep, the store brand.
Things change after surgery.

So I just thought I'd post before and after pic of my face. I couldn't bare to take a before pic of my full body. Anyway, I'm 10 days post op and have lost 20 pounds. I'm not complaining by any means but just hope I'm doing everything right. I spent a week in the hospital for several complications that arose because of some unknown preexisting conditions and also because my lungs basically stop working after anasthesia. Anyway I had broth 3 times a day for the first 7 days then introduced cottage cheese and cream of chicken with tuna, the next three days..

Chantix on board and PCP gave me more reasons for bariatric surgery!! I was nervous that they would derail my efforts. She was sooo supportive!! Feelin mighty happy today! In reflection...who's happy about hyperlipidemia, pre diabetes, and increased bp???? I am thats who!!!!

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

after awhile, the sleeve will allow you to eat most anything. however, it's your body that's in the background saying, "i need Protein...i need my Vitamins...i need nutrition." slider foods like fries, chips, etc., are easy to consume in quantities because they are easy to chew; however, you'll eventually become full and the sleeve will let you know, one way or the other. then your body will say, "hello....thought i was getting some protein....."
seriously, the sleeve manages quantity not quality. personally, i think its ok to have fries and pizza, just in moderation. they are yummy. just remember that nutrition and healthy foods come first in order to support your physical and mental strength.

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

Congrats on the weight loss! This is awesome.

I think the sleeve is a journey, one that is fast at times, slow as molasses at other times, uphill, downhill and wanders across washed out bridges and various obstacles. In the end, we look back and realize the journey tried our patience, challenged us, frustrated us and made us laugh or cry. Yet, we are becoming better one step at a time, one obstacle at a time, and one success story at a time.
You’re on a journey and you're doing just fine. Stay the course, adjust the compass and keep moving. You got this.

after awhile, the sleeve will allow you to eat most anything. however, it's your body that's in the background saying, "i need Protein...i need my Vitamins...i need nutrition." slider foods like fries, chips, etc., are easy to consume in quantities because they are easy to chew; however, you'll eventually become full and the sleeve will let you know, one way or the other. then your body will say, "hello....thought i was getting some protein....."
seriously, the sleeve manages quantity not quality. personally, i think its ok to have fries and pizza, just in moderation. they are yummy. just remember that nutrition and healthy foods come first in order to support your physical and mental strength.

Pillows. Lots of pillows. Definitely have a pillow for the ride home. Great to hold next to your tummy and minimize the bumps in the road.

Well, it all just sucks right now. The third week is one of the hardest. Ok, so it sucks. You have two choices--do nothing, do something. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get determined. You got this. You can do it.
Remember, you still have all of those hormones running around....bound to make you feel discouraged.

Well, it all just sucks right now. The third week is one of the hardest. Ok, so it sucks. You have two choices--do nothing, do something. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get determined. You got this. You can do it.
Remember, you still have all of those hormones running around....bound to make you feel discouraged.

Well, it all just sucks right now. The third week is one of the hardest. Ok, so it sucks. You have two choices--do nothing, do something. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get determined. You got this. You can do it.
Remember, you still have all of those hormones running around....bound to make you feel discouraged.