kltklass

Nope, wrong state. Good luck though.

It can be. Try taking an over the counter PPI like omeprazole (prevacid) for heartburn (Walgreens or Costco). It helps me a lot. Try waiting a bit before adding ground turkey or beef.

If you don't have any luck selling your clothes, look into domestic violence shelters or groups that take in clothes for women just returning to work. They always need clothes and then it becomes a tax deduction.

I would go to the doctor, just in case.

Nope. I drank lots of Unjury chicken soup (actually tastes decent) and premier protein shakes. I made vegetable soup and put it in a blender, which worked out fine. I also did a lot of Greek yogurt (Oikos) and low-fat cottage cheese. Good luck!

Great job! You go girl!

Great job. Keep up the good work.

Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are great for protein. I still can't eat eggs or spicy foods, they do not set well with me. Take your time when eating, it really makes a difference.

Miralax daily and I use the "squatty potty" (Google for information) to position my body and help with elimination. Both help a lot. I also drink lot of water. Good luck to you.

I am sorry for your loss. Keep your head up. We are here to support you.

@ BabyNurse: Way too soon for food. You should be on soups! Slow down, you are still healing.

Hello, FYI if you go to the search bar and type in weight loss stalls, click on the down arrow and choose forum under topic, over 1000 forum results will show up. A lot have good information and share suggestions. Everyone is different. Remember, it takes 3-4 months for you body to adjust to major surgery. Your body is still healing. That being said, this is not a miracle cure, but a tool. There will be times when the scale will not reflect weight loss, however, you body is losing inches. Be patient! Good luck in your journey.

If you go to the search bar and type in "alcohol after the sleeve", and click the "down arrow" under topic and choose forum, a bunch of forums show up. Some of them are very informative. I hope this helps.

I was sleeved in August 2013 (7 months) with no serious complications. I have lost 98 lbs so far. I eat 60-90 grams of protein a day and 64-90 oz of water per day. I do get heartburn so I take a PPI (omeprazole) which is over the counter. I take gummy vitamins. I have hair loss that is growing back. Would I recommend this surgery to others? Yes, with the caveat of... do lots of research. No two results are the same as everyone is different. There are serious complications as with any surgery. For someone like me... this was the last resort. I have tried so many ways to lose the weight only to regain the weight. My health was deteriorating. I do not regret this decision and consider it the best decision I have made in a long time. I am off all of my diabetes and most of my other medications. I am more active than I have been in the last 20+ years (not to mention smaller). I feel better, and happier than ever. Good luck on your journey!

Yes, I take omeprazole (prevacid) every day. It is a PPI that is over the counter. I get mine at Costco or Walgreen's. Good luck to you.

No, I was a self pay. Good luck to you.

Sometimes I don't know what to say or I disagree with the poster. I was raised to believe "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all". In addition, I feel I need to add something worthwhile. If I can't add to the topic I keep quit.

Zuzu, have you thought about going to Mexico? Dr. Garcia is awesome and it would save you 10,000.00!!! Good luck in what ever you decide.

No insurance. I went to TJ, Mexico. 5200.00 + 400.00 air fare. I paid more because of my BMI. No regrets! Awesome surgeon and staff. Well worth it!

I haven't had the band, however, I have had the sleeve for 7 months. Everyone is different and had different experiences. What works for one may not work for another. I wanted the permanent solution to the issues I was having. In my journey, drinking Water was never an issue. I went slow at first because that is what the doctor ordered. At about 3 weeks I was able to gulp with little issues. In a previous post "rbtnln" states:"Once you get to solid foods, stay away from mushy stuff. That's where I got into danger with my band. Mushy foods that slid through because the solid Protein hurt too much". The doctor has a set program for you to eat certain foods and in a specific order. This is to help your stomach heal. Mushy/pureed foods are part of that program. I still eat yogurt and cottage cheese as well as steak, chicken and fish. With the sleeve you will feel the restriction more with solid foods. Nothing gets "stuck" however it will feel uncomfortable if you eat too fast or too much. Pop on over the sleeve forum if you haven't already, there is loads of great information. Good luck on your journey and keep us informed so we can support you.

I have the sleeve and my best friend has the band. We both had our surgeries in August 2013. I wanted the permanent tool and didn't have the money to invest in the lap band fills (I went to Mexico). My friend has insurance that covered her surgery and her fills. We both love our choices. The thing to remember is that everyone is different and loses at different rates. My suggestion is to research WLS and decide what is best for you. Also, look into the band conversion to sleeve forum, they may have suggestions. Good luck on your journey.

It might be a yeast infection from the antibiotics. I had that when I had my hysterectomy. It itches like crazy. I would call your doctor and schedule an appointment for a check-up.

I would love to attend meetings. Unfortunately, there are no support groups in this area of Eastern WA. I am currently studying to be a social worker, so, my schedule is fixed. Maybe after I receive my MSW in 2016, would I be interested in hosting a group.

RJ, I want to tell you how proud I am of you. As a social worker-in training, I am taught to focus on a person's strengths. Let me tell you, you have an abundant amount of strengths: brave, friendly, kind, and caring, intelligent, humorous, empathic, disciplined, gratitude, determined, and inspiring (just to name a few). I understand you have recently started with a trainer, however, have you thought about seeing a counselor? I believe those of us that have body issues from obesity need to see someone professional to assist them on their journey. Many of us have body dysmorphic disorder, which affects the way we view our bodies (I personally look in the mirror and still see the morbidly obese person even thought I have lost a lot of weight). I do not know if this will truly change once we reach our goal weight. There comes a time when we have to focus on something other than the number on the scale. That being said, how are you feeling? Do you feel healthy? Can you participate in life without physical discomfort cause by weight issues? I think these are a better barometer than the number on the scale. Your family LOVES you and wants to have you in their lives for a long time to come. Your forum family loves you and wants to continue to hear from you for a long time to come. Please understand your families concerns are founded in love. As someone said earlier, consult with the plastic surgeon and discuss the options with your family. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are an inspiration for those of us that are still struggling in our battle over weight.

202.5 lbs