7 Bites_Jen

I really like it a lot - it has more flavor than regular cream cheese, I think. I use it in a lot of different recipes.

I have used a straw since I got home from the hospital. During the early phases you CAN take in too much air and it can be a problem for some people. It wasn't for me. I would definitely talk to your doc about it and get his reasons behind it. If you can try a sip or two and tolerate it, I don't see why it would be a problem, though...

Loved this! And as a fellow girl nerd, I think she was FABULOUS!!! I want to dress up like Moxxie from Boarderlands 2 next Halloween if my hair grows out ... LOL

Ooooh ... on the breast feeding thing: I couldn't w/ number one - the milk NEVER came in - and the "consultant" at the WIC office REAMED me for it!! She said it was impossible for me to not make milk and that I needed to be breast feeding more. If I'd tried any more I'd have been walking around with a kid attached to my boob 24/7!!! And #2 REFUSED to breast feed. He turned his head away and wouldn't take it AT ALL - after multiple times!! And my husband's cousin is one of the militant ones ... Yeah ... I feel ya' there. So ... I tried. And failed. But, both kids turned out just fine!

This is such a wonderful thread! I am really enjoying seeing the different perspectives and experiences from across the board. One that that I want to throw in is that there are a lot of people that think sleevers loose all their weight too quickly and reach goal before a year is out - and then keep losing. I am here to say that that is not true at all. I am a year and 5 months out from surgery, have yet to reach goal, and have even completely stalled out here and there. Also, sleevers CAN dump. I still have dumping after I eat anything with high fructose corn syrup or a very high fat/grease content. I was actually told prior to surgery that it wouldn't be a problem, but it can be. And the hunger thing - I get hungry. I get as hungry now as I did before! Thanks for starting this!

AACK! I'm still catching up. Just watched the finale to season two last night and about to start season three tonight. I love this show!!!

I am LOLing at "drop the hippo but keep some hips" - CLASSIC!!! and I agree ... To me skinny is "sick" looking - someone that looks almost anorexic. I want to be healthy. My goal size is between a 10-12. I haven't really set a weight because there's some debate about that, LOL. But the honest truth is, I want to look at myself in the mirror and be proud of how far I've come.

I have really enjoyed reading this thread and seeing other perspectives. My decision to go with the sleeve was based on a lot of research and talking with people that have had every surgery out there. It wasn't one that I made arbitrarily at all. I originally was going to go for the lap-band but after talking with a few friends that had it as well as my mother, I decided it wasn't for me. I didn't want to have to return over and again for fills and removals of saline, and I didn't want to give myself a way out (if this doesn't work, I can always have it reversed ...) FOR ME - that wasn't an option (I have a tendency to give up and not finish what I start...). The other thing for me was that I was terrified of the bypass. I knew three people that passed after having it done, two of which were from malabsorbtion (sp?) complications. The sleeve was the best choice for what I wanted out of bariatric surgery. EACH of the surgeries have their merits. For every band that slips, or doesn't work right there are fifty that work beautifully. For every RNY or duodenal switch person that has had severe complications, there are hundreds whose lives are saved from it. For each sleever that has had a leak or other issue, there are many, many that have better lives from it. It depends on what YOU want out of your surgery - that's the beauty of it! There really is a good option for everyone.

I can relate to this simply because I have been in his shoes!! I fought the decision for ten years to do it. I had to come to terms with my health on my own - no one could make that choice for me. Just be there as a support for him, and if and when he DOES decide to do it (or any other way of weight loss, for that matter!) be there to support him. You're a good sister to care so much for him and his well-being.

I feel you on this! I have a particular friend that has even taken to LYING about the weight she's lost to make it look like she's keeping with me! I don't know why it has to be a competition - she's becoming more and more unhealthy in the process too.

The hubbs and I were JUST talking about this!! I'm trying to steer away from using as many processed things as possible when possible, and when I DO use them I have to read labels because I'm having reactions to anything with MSG, aspartame, and citric acid. I've been using cream cheese made with greek yogurt, but I am starting to second-guess that decision! My poor hubby still has it in his head that low-fat and sugar-free are the way to go... We still have some work to do.

Well this particular forum is for everyone, but there is a lap-band section

Love this topic!! Of course, mine comes from the title of the show, LOL. But THAT comes from the idea the doctor that did my psych evaluation told me about: Basically bariatric patients (at least the first few months) are eating about seven bites of food at one time. Four protein, two veggie, and one starch (thereabouts). Now, of course, I can eat more than that, but the title stuck because it was catchy, LOL.

I have certainly had my ups and downs. The first few days were hard - very hard. The next few were better, then the next few were hard again. It is an emotional roller coaster for sure. Everything from elation to excitement to anxiety and depression. It will vary day to day. But eventually it evens out. After the first six months or so, a normalcy set it. Sometimes I get down that I can't eat everything on my plate (especially on taco night!), but those times are becoming fewer and fewer as time goes on. I'm over a year out, by the way. Hope that helps!!

My husband and I were having a conversation in early 2012. At one point he turned to me and said, "I don't want to lose you because of your weight". That was my breaking point. The next day I called the surgeon that did my mom's lap-band. Before I knew it I was scheduled for the sleeve. One of the best decisions I have ever made.

Love, love, LOVE this post!!! And how true!! Thank you for sharing this - it's put a lot into perspective for me today!

I am so excited about this show!!

I do on set and when I'm going out to look nice, but not on a daily basis. I'd wait until you loose the first 50-60 lbs to worry about it, though :-)

AMAZING!!!

I also suffer with the reflux monster - I have to take a pill in the morning and one at night and supplement with tums! The blander I eat, the better it is ... You'd think I'd learn, LOL!

It took some doing for me to convince my non-WLS hubby to share when we go out - once he did he was so glad he did!! He was also one of those eat until you feel sick people ("Gotta get my money's worth!"). We share anything and everything now. He still gets 90% of it, LOL!

I don't have any in my face, but I do have some in other areas (inner thighs, lower tummy, and upper arms to be specific). But clothes and spanks hide those pretty well. That being said, don't let that be a deterrent. I'd rather have skin that sags a bit and be healthy!

LOVE IT!!!

If you're looking for some easy holiday breakfast/brunch ideas (or just every day ideas!) here's our latest episode! Let us know what you think!

It always amazes me how much emphasis people put on how much or what we're eating! Just today I went to lunch with a friend who is VERY aware of my surgery and she made a comment on how much I ate: "Is your sleeve tight today? You didn't eat much!" I just looked at her and said, "When do I EVER eat much??" Maybe a good response would be, "I'm watching my portion sizes - gotta get a head start on those new year's resolutions and there's a big plate of chocolate chip Cookies with my name on it at home!" LOL. Or you could comment on how MUCH they ate!!