back2barb78

Thank u. Did u have any veggies with it?I would have baby veggies with added seasoning since they're already puréed those were my main sources of protein in my puréed phase which was not very long so I didn't vary much so as not to get sick or have any vomiting issues with my new stomach. And yes 2 small meatballs would absolutely fill me up. Most times I didn't even eat that. Some people told me that they could drink a full standard bottle of water a couple months postop and I still can only take at most 7 swallows before I feel the constriction and have to wait a couple minutes before drinking more. My sleeve is very small. I could barely see it when I did my leak test postop. I love it because I know over time it will stretch and be a good capacity for the rest of my life and now in the losing phase it's perfect.

I puréed mainly turkey meatballs, deli turkey and chicken breast or deli chicken breast. I bought a mini food processor from Walmart to use since the amounts were so small. Not absolutely necessary if you have a blender, but I was pureeing like 2 meatballs at a time. Everything has to be very very moist, so I made sure not to overcook anything. My crockpot was great for this. I made basic seasoned meatballs and used them in different ways (with gravy, taco flavored, etc). If I liked something, I ate it until I was sick of it and then changed it up. I also researched puréed diets on the internet and tried some recipes. I would just make really small amounts of things because in the beginning, you really don't eat much. I could only eat a tablespoon or 2 (you may have a different capacity because my doctor is known to do a very small sleeve). Good luck to you

Thank you!! Any helpful hints or words of wisdom pre or post op (especially things you wish someone would have told you about)? You know I got so much advice and asked so many questions, none of it was a surprise! I probably would've taken better before pics, so I always tell everyone to take lots of pictures since things change so fast postop

Congrats, Annadette!! You look great!! Isn't it amazing how fast it happens??

Thank you so much. It did take a bit longer though- I lost 34lbs preop and was 299lbs on surgery day, Oct 7th. Your 2 months will fly by. Congrats in advance!!!

I think it depends on how you feel as you go. We all carry weight different on our frame too and we could all weigh the same but look different. I have extra long legs and tend to look smaller than I weigh. I think you look AMAZING now. People are telling you that because they're used to you being bigger as well. Good luck on your continued journey

Not sure if Ariel Ortiz is on the popular list, but that's who I went to. I've chatted with another person about this before, but being a nurse and around docs all the time it's very easy to spot ego. That's not Dr Ariel Ortiz at all. He was very different than the man I saw when I watched his videos (except he's just as attractive in person-just sayin). In person, he is hands down one of the most genuine docs I've met with a passion for what he does. I was very surprised. I had already decided with my family if I didn't like him or anything I saw at any point in time or if they felt a certain way about anything, we were getting the hell out of there no matter what was already done. A door was partially open one of the postop days I was there getting checked and I saw him standing speaking to a room of other people sitting down- no attitude, the same man that came into my room preop excited to meet me and about doing my surgery. He likes coffee I would try to Skype with some of them if possible if you haven't made a decision.

World Traveler, what a great post!! My nurses were very good with English thankfully while I was there, but I'm going to use these to help me at work with my Spanish-speaking patients now!!

Wanted to update my Glamazon girls!! I'm 2lbs away from my 1st goal of 220 and feeling great! I'm still 5'9" (I was 5'10" since high school) but next time I go to the doc, I'm going to have them do it again. Although people calling me "skinny" I think is ridiculous. I'm trying to adjust to the change in how people treat you (it's very strange sometimes) and I don't like people commenting on my body or looking me up and down. I just want them to accept that I'm different now (this is the people that have known me for the past 6-7 years because to the people that have known me for a long time the fat me was abnormal). I'm going to be leaving my job in a few weeks and moving to a different area in May which was always the plan anyway in to be near my love, advance as far as my career, and hopefully start a family next year

SoCalMom, I didn't go it alone but wanted to say I'm sorry to hear about your sister and wish you both nothing but the best in your respective journeys

Easter Challenge Goal-219lbs 3/23- 226lbs 3/30-222lbs Bea, I hope your hubby recovers quickly. And woohoo for your NSV!! FallenAngel, I'm sorry you lost your cat. Don't worry, you will get back on track

BellaHugz and Deezjeans, I'm so sorry for your loss.

While I don't wear a weave, I decided to chime in I was considering wearing a weave but chose to wear a wig instead. I found one for the immediate postop period so I wouldn't have to worry about my hair and love it so much I decided to wear it for 6 months postop (even though I don't plan on stopping wearing it). It's the hair I have in my pictures. As far as my own hair, when I wash it I definitely notice some shedding, but most definitely no significant loss or thinning, no bald spots or any loss of length (I'm bra strap length). Ive permed it once since surgery because my roots were out of control. I moisturize and seal and have it in 4 braids and could wear it in a braid out too but don't want to manipulate it too much. I don't wash it often right since it isn't hot. I don't think ill ever stop wearing this wig!!

KeeWee, I'll be 6 months out on April 7th and I'm doing great. I'm a few lbs from the 1st goal I set for myself and had no clue I would get there this fast. I'm not doing anything special. I don't lift weights or really work out right now (I'm a nurse and I work 6 days a week running around hospitals all day- I can't help but lose right now). I'm beyond thankful for this sleeve and content with the decisions I made to get it done in Mexico. I have before and during pics on my page since I still consider myself early in the process. Good luck to you in your journey

It takes just like chicken soup broth Nice when it's cold. It surprisingly doesn't taste like protein.

Glad you're doing well, Ren!! Glad you still have your sleeve

Easter Challenge Goal-219lbs 3/23- 226lbs

I'm in too Bea!! Thank you

Positivity is key. I know things will work out fine

St. Patty's Day Challenge Goal 230lbs 2/17-238lbs 2/24-235lbs 3/3- 231lbs 3/10-231lbs 3/17-226lbs Yay!!! Thank you Bea for all you do XOXO

Covatila, it happens all the time and you're like WTF?? You'll have times when you weigh and your the same for a while or you've even gained (especially if your menstrual- I don't weigh myself for a few days once that starts) then randomly you're down a few lbs. The men don't seem to have that issue as much as we do. Anyway, you'll be fine- just wait and see. Just watch the change over the months. It seems like forever in the beginning, but goes by so fast once you start feeling like yourself again. On a side note- word from the wise. Don't try to kill two birds with one stone- I was eating in the car on the way home from work and got car sick. Needless to say I had laundry to do when I got home

Congrats girl!!! That is a major milestone

Covatila, I was having constipation issues until recently. I spoke with the nutritionist postop and she said Milk of Magnesia was fine to take but just occasionally and to increase fluids. I was only going once a week when I took the Milk of Magnesia. Even with trying to increase fluids I still had issues. I've just recently gotten back into going uninduced and it's still not daily like before- like every 2-3 days now.

Keep us in the loop, Ren. I know everything will be fine

Take some good before pics if you haven't already. You will look totally different before you know it!