nmck

To me that new hunger is the empty feeling.
That's all I get. Unless I have too much acid, no tummy rumbles. No "oh, it's a certain time of the day, must eat." It's just that empty feeling that reminds me I should probably put something in my stomach. Usually hours after I should have eaten, and after I'm already lightheaded or have shaky hands!
Now, head hunger? That can feel like hunger but it's not. There's nothing physical about it and it's purely in my head. But when I'm hit by it my mind doesn't care if it's real hunger or not because the desire to eat for whatever reason can be completely overwhelming.
~Cheri

Funny, I found the crystal light too sweet also, although now I drink a lot of the lemonade. I found a diet Decaf orange tea that I really like so drink a lot of that. It's made by turkey hill but I think that is local here in pa.

I am going through the same thing. My taste buds change all the time. I can't do those "sweet" unsweetened drinks either. Right now it's plain Water, occasionally G2, and mostly water with lemon. I make a big pitcher of water, add sliced up lemons and a few limes and some ice. It is delicious! It gets more and more refreshing each day! Try it and let me know what you think!

LipstickLady is right on the money. Just because it's on the net, doesn't mean it isn't BS. Plenty of people (not everyone) who post their photos on that site either lie, take misleading photos, or just plain look a little heavier because the camera adds on a few lbs.
That being said, everyone carries weight differently. If I get down to my goal of 144 I know it will look different on me than my friend who is taller than me and weighs roughly the same.
You get to stop being the fat girl when YOU decide to stop calling yourself that. Girl, even now you have a body so many people on here would envy and may I say killer legs. You worked hard for it and you will continue working hard until you've reached your goal and after in maintenance. But you've got to snap out of the mentality that you are somehow "less than" because you are not. You're a star. Get used to it.

I had my surgery July 22nd and I am down 50lbs!! Dr. Cirangle in San Francisco is the best surgeon EVER!! Great plan, great results!! I am so happy I am eatting food now too!! Yay!! Congrats everyone else too!!

You're hangry. It's normal. Enjoy the company, sip your drink, and enjoy the healthy new you that is emerging.

Yes, I think we all pretty much feel that way! It's like our eyes have opened and we see things so differently. I can't imagine eating that much anymore and yet I used to out eat most of the people who eat around me. It's funny because I was afraid people would watch what I put in my mouth and yet it is the other way around!

I see the same thing now. My hubs and I went out to eat. I ordered a baked crabcake app...and ate 1/3 of one with a little salad. There wasn't even a drop of juice on his plate when he was done...and eve ryone eats sooo fast! I can't pass judgement. I am just thankful I am not that way anymore

I called my Dr and she said as long as I keep it clean and dry I should be OK. Thanks!

I was told no alcohol for a year

I've had Rheumatoid Arthritits for 10 years. Coming up on 3 months post VSG. It's a mixed bag. I move easier, more limber and flexible. Not exhaused at the end of a day of working, but tired. Joint pain and fatigue are still an issue. I'd say 25% better. I'm only half way to goal so we will see if the next 30-40 pounds gives me less symptoms. My reasoning for the sleeve was endurance not relief...

No need to apologize. It says more about them than it does you. People have no manners. Your hard work is something you do for you. You just keep doing! Don't let anybody take this incredible opportunity away from you!

Hello everyone! I just thought I would stop by the forums and post my story since I haven't posted anything in the forums in a while, and since I took new after photos last night, I figured maybe it was time to post my story, in short version of course. If you have any questions feel free to PM me, I might not be able to get to replying on the forum Here we go...
Starting weight and BMI: 298lbs/41BMI (5'11''...tall girl)
I started looking into weight loss surgery when I was 20 years old, firstly researching it on my own...eventually going to informational meetings and talking to different people who have been through the experience or work in a profession that deal with the different surgeries. At first I was looking into the LapBand surgery, so I started my mandatory steps in order for my insurance to approve of my request. This took me one year to complete, when I sent my request into my insurance I was denied due to where I wanted to get the surgery done not being a "Center of Excellence". So I was forced to travel to a new place about 2 hours from my home where there was a place my insurance would accept. My first seminar at this hospital is when I changed my mind from having the LapBand to the Gastric Sleeve. I chose to change my mind because the information that was given about all three surgeries just showed me that the Gastric Sleeve was the best option for me.
After I changed my mind I was forced (by my insurance) to re due all of my mandatory requirements in order to be approved, but they also added on 6 months of supervised weight loss this time. So long story short it took me about another year or so to get all my requirements redone. Finally on November 25 2012 I was at my final meeting with my surgeon and I got my date Dec 4 2012 (3 days after my 23 Birthday)...I finally got the date I was working for, for almost 3 years!!
Surgery day came and went, I spent 3 nights in the hospital, they asked if I wanted to stay one more day due to pain I was having, but I decided to go home. The first month was difficult, I have a post op liquid diet of 3 weeks, with mushy food by the 4th week...so on and so forth. During this time I had to deal with a number of Christmas parties and New Years eve parties...it was hard, but I followed my doctors instructions to the word.
Over the next few months I was back on my full foods with difficulty with certain foods (I still have this difficulties, but it isn't a big deal. Hard times with pastas and breads). I suffered from a few horrible stalls (4 in total), but I worked through them. My doctor told me that his goal for me was 200lbs. 5.5 months post op I reached my doctors goal, but my personal goal was 180, so I kept working. I joined a gym only 1 month out of surgery and was going 3-4 days a week for 2 hours at a time, until sadly I had to give up my gym membership due to back issues. This just made me work a lot harder on my diet. 7.5 months post op I reached my personal goal of 180lbs!!!
Story short details...I went through so much to finally get approved...I felt like quitting so many times, yes I got frustrated, procrastinated a bit due to my spirits being low, but I stuck with it and finished all of my requirements. 2-3 years of hell, frustration and I wont lie...a lot of depression. After surgery I struggled with stalls, and my stomach not taking to solid foods as quickly as others do. It wasn't easy, I won't lie, it was a lot of working sticking with a healthy diet and a regular workout program. In the end (8 months later)..am I happy I did it? YES!!! I am so happy I stuck with the frustration and depression. Do I have any regrets? NONE! I would do this again and again if I have to. It has changed my life so much in the small period I have been on this journey. I use to have high blood pressure, I don't have to deal with that anymore. I have a blood disorder (genetic) and it has helped with that as well which wasn't really expected! Not to mention my confidence and my feeling of self worth has been greatly improved!!I have one more big thing to accomplish...which is go back to the amusement park that I was kicked off of a ride for being to big...and go and ride that ride FIRST then go on everything else this will be completed October 12, I have my tickets, I wont lie, I am a bit nervous (why? I don't know) but I am excited to see my improvement in that sense.
To everyone working on getting approved...all I have to say is keep up with it, even if it gets frustrating and you really want to quit...just keep looking towards the finish line, because trust me...it is WORTH that frustration, stress and possible depression. If I had to do it all over, I would do another 3 years of appointments and requirements if I had to. I couldn't be more thankful for the journey I have been through. But it wasn't easy, the surgery didn't do everything for me...it was a lot of work and stress, but still worth it
Todays weight and BMI : 179lbs/ 25BMI!!! (5'11'')

My 6 month surgiversary was yesterday and I'm 67 lbs down since surgery! I've been losing slower than a lot of people on here but as long as its still coming off I'm happy. I only have 39 more lbs till I hit onederland and I'm giving it my all to get there. Im so glad I had this surgery, it really does change your life.

Maybe you're hypovolemic& need fluids. Go to ER now. You can't treat this alone.
Btw really irresponsible of your surgical team to not have an easy way of contacting.

I was sleeved on 7/30. At my 2 week follow-up appt I was down 28 lbs. Haven't weighed myself since but my clothes are definitely fitting big!

I was sleeve on July 8 2013 and I been stall for two weeks now well the scale move today ,6more pds down yayyy me, total 35 pds since surgery 10pds per opt 45 total loving this sleeve

I meant CW: 256!!! Lol

SW -267
Surgery Day- 251
8/21- 218.8.

Down 26 lbs since July 5th surgery, down a total of 44 lbs with 18 lbs pre-op weight loss.

July 8th. Down 70 from my highest and 31 since surgery.

5'5'' - 26 years old
No pre op diet
Day of surgery 7/8/13- 278lbs
6 weeks 2 days later - 241lbs
Total lost - 37lbs

I was sleeved July 30th. I'm down 27 pounds since surgery. Total weight loss since may 22th (first Dr. Appt) 44 pounds!

You called???

Great topic and discussion by folks with a STRONG opinion on both sides. I drinks me Water, and I pee clear.
The rule I break is -- I still drink coffee, well 1/2 and 1/2 with Decaf, black.
Reminds me of an old saying...
"I like my women the way I like my coffee: cold and bitter".
Bwa ha ha...