sprocket

Mine is no drinking while eating and no drinking for thirty minutes after eating. You get used to it. If it in any way helps with my weight loss success and maintenance, it's a very, very small price to pay. It's a pretty insignificant thing to adjust to in the grander WLS picture.

I wasn't allowed meat at your stage, but even months later I struggled to eat more than a couple ounces at a time, especially of a dense protein like pork. Take it slow, you are still very early out.

I went with my husband, but it would have been doable alone. The staff is very accommodating and helpful.

I agree with @@OutsideMatchInside (and some others). You rarely hear men apologizing or explaining their bodies, but women often feel compelled to do so.

I was exhausted for weeks after my surgery. I basically went to work and then came home and went to bed early and slept through the night to repeat the next day. Your body is healing from major surgery and doing so on severely reduced calories. It eventually wanes, but get all the rest you can in the meantime.

Please do post - I'm very interested as this is something I want done as well.

Losing large amounts of weight fast can cause hormonal chaos, especially for ladies. It may settle down as your body evens out. It sounds though that you would benefit with meeting with a therapist to go over all these feelings and develop coping strategies.

I don't think this is (sadly) uncommon. Sometimes I think that people think they are being "supportive" when they say things like that. You'll get used to saying "thanks" and perfecting a non-committal smile in response to some of the bizarre things that come out of people's mouths. I weighed 262 and am also 5'3". Best decision I ever made was to have WLS. It's been an amazing accomplishment.

I was a size 22 and didn't buy new clothes until I was size 18. Mostly because plus sizes fit for so long - all that elastic. When my pants started falling, that's when I discovered I was a size 18. I would buy two pairs of pants and 4-5 shirts and then repeat once I'd dropped two sizes. So at size 14, 10, etc. Basically, I bought just what I could get by with for work because I want to save my pennies for when I'm at goal. It's no fun, especially when you see all the cute clothes that you can now fit into, but I just keep my eye on the prize at the end. I purged my closet each time I had to buy new clothes. If it didn't fit, it went. Just donate and get rid of it all. Don't agonize over it or think of the wasted money or anything - just let it all go. It's very freeing to see that nearly empty closet and know it's because you've made such progress and done something amazing for yourself.

I was a slow loser in that the highest I ever lost in one week was 6 lbs. Normally, I lost about 1.5 lbs. - sometimes less. Stick to your plan and one day you'll look back and realize how far you've come. Sometimes WLS doesn't make you lose weight faster (though generally much more consistently than anything you've tried before), but does help you keep the weight off and be satisfied. I only wish I would have lost 52 lbs. in four weeks.

I have Unjury unflavored protein powder and it works well. I ordered it online from their website.

I had one. It was inconvenient to deal with showering. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. Emptying wasn't difficult or gross or anything. I can't remember exactly how often, but a few times a day was sufficient. It was uncomfortable having it removed, but a relief to be done with it.

I think it's just a perception thing. People are used to seeing you overweight and seeing a great lot of the population overweight. Keep your goals and they will adjust their view of you over time. I get the " have you finished losing?" and "you're so skinny" and "you can't possibly have more to lose" comments more frequently the closer I get to my goal of 135. I just smile, take it as an intended compliment and tell them, yep 7 lbs. to go! For my height 135 is in the upper part of my BMI range, so I'm definitely not "too skinny."

I've lost 118 lbs. so far with another 9 to go to reach my personal goal of 135. It's an amazing accomplishment and I'm so happy with my progress. I started at 262 lbs., with 249 being my day-of-surgery weight. It wasn't until I was at about 200 lbs. that most people began to notice (co-workers, etc.), or at least began to say anything. I didn't feel the difference though until I'd lost about 110 lbs. and reached a size 8 (I was in a size 22 pre-op). For whatever reason, I could finally see and feel the changes at size 8. Now I'm in a size 6, and more than likely will be in a size 4 by the time I reach 135. I just feel so much lighter.

I'm starting another five days on Monday (tomorrow). I want to break out of the 150s and get away from the Thanksgiving carbs. We are leaving on a two week vacation next Sunday, so this will be a great way to keep the fridge empty except for Protein shakes. @VSGAnn2014 I lost a little over 3 lbs. and didn't gain it back after restarting regular eating, so I don't think it was Water weight, at least not all of it anyway. My sleeve is normally quite tight, so I didn't really notice any less ability to eat than before. It did help to point out where I was giving into the munchies and, once again, reinforce the difference between my head hunger and real hunger.