JeanZ_RN

You look FABulous!! Congratulations!

My starting and goal numbers are very similar to yours, but I was just sleeved 7 weeks ago. You are an inspiration! Thanks for posting!

I paid the surgeon $5,000 and the hospital $7,500 in Dallas - total of $12,500.

Yesterday I got a bill from the anesthesiologist for $3,200. Surprise! Going to call the surgeon's office tomorrow to see if it's legit. I'm pretty sure nobody mentioned this before the surgery...

Good point. Thanks for clarifying.

Did I mis-read? I thought it was made of both whey Protein and collagen Protein.< /p>

I'm 60, and was sleeved about 7 weeks ago. Best thing I've ever done for myself. One of my reasons is that I hope to find love again after years of being alone, and I think I'll have a better chance of it if I'm not obese. I would definitely date a 65 year old man, and I'd be a lot more comfortable about a long term relationship with any man who is interested in doing what's best for his health. All that said, though - you gotta do what's best for YOU.

Congratulations on that 100 lbs down goal AND for BMI under 30! Way to work that sleeve!

Another single sleever here, in the Dallas TX area. I'd love to be in a relationship again, but I'd really like to just skip the dating part - so uncomfortable! LOL! No, seriously, I'm eager to have my first date in years, just hope I remember how to act. When I get a bit closer to goal I'm going to sign up for www.loveafterwls.com.

Looks interesting! I just read their website, and it looks legit. I tried to sign up for a sample, but couldn't figure out how. I'm going to email them later tonight asking how to do that.

I'm also curious about the formulated for men / women distinction.

Have you tasted it?

Very NICE legs, too!

I also gave up skirts/dresses years ago - for me it was because panty hose just felt awful, and since I hate being out in the sun I have no tan whatsoever so I will not go out bare-legged. Didn't help that I was living in central FL at the time, where the humidity is off the charts.

Maybe I'll rethink that no-skirts/dresses decision when I get closer to goal.

The earlier post saying maybe he's concerned about not being able to resist once the package is open ... I GET THAT! I live alone (well, except for my 2 canine kids) and as long as I can leave a package closed -- and preferably out of sight -- I can probably resist. But once it's open it's katie bar the door and I'm sunk.

Way before surgery I had stopped buying "normal" size packages of, say, Cookies and instead I would buy the little bitty package from the gas station food mart every 2-3 weeks. Just one little package, not several at a time. Portion Control has always been an issue for me UNTIL I had the surgery. Thank you, Sleevie!

I envy you each having a significant other!

What RJ said! Go to group! You will NOT be the only one saying what you have to say, and the good part of a support group is.... support!

And if you have only a few more pounds to lose before you get a surgery date - GO for it! Best wishes!

That was one of my all-time favorite posts too!

Congratulations on making goal! Our numbers are almost identical, so it's interesting to me to see how long it took you to get there. You ARE an inspiration!

I'll continue to follow your posts, so I can learn from you re maintenance. Here's wishing you a wonderful 2014!

Laura-ven, your post should be required reading for every person considering WLS!! I have a friend who had the band and was not successful, and is now considering sleeve vs RNY. I'm concerned that she may be thinking one of these surgeries will be a magic bullet, and I'm going to send her your post.

Your posts are always on point and also to the point, both of which I appreciate a LOT! Your weight loss success and your approach are inspiring!

Mine is not as bad as you describe, but I've definitely noticed a change. I attribute it to the lack of fat in my diet. The remedy I'm trying is Jojoba oil, recommended by my massage therapist. I apply it to my arms, hands, lower legs and feet every day or two. Best time to apply it is just after a shower, when skin is still damp.

I purchased the oil at Whole Foods market, and it's not cheap - $34 for a 9-10 oz bottle (I'm not sure how many oz it is). I just Googled jojoba oil (pronouced hoHOba), and found one site that offers a 16 oz bottle for $21, so if it works as well as I think it's going to I'll be purchasing online from now on.

My masseuse said that other oils that are also good are almond oil and coconut oil - and those are less expensive.

I had TMJ pain that was severe, years ago, and have since had surgery to alleviate it. My part of the "cure" has been to learn to change the behaviors that cause the pain or make it worse. The changes include (in no particular order):

>> In general, avoid chewing gum. When you occasionally do chew it, take half a stick only, and chew it for just a short time. To freshen your mouth try a breath mint instead, and don't chew it!

>> Don't chew ice or hard candy, or anything else of that nature. Let them melt in your mouth instead.

>> If you chew your nails, stop. I know, it's not easy. I did it, though, so I know it can be done!

>> Avoid nuts and other foods that require much pressure of jaws to chew. That's not to say never eat them - just make it rare at least until the pain is under control.

>> Learn not to clench your jaw. To do this, keep the lower teeth very slightly apart from the upper teeth. It's a difficult habit to change, but you can do it. Try keeping your tongue between the upper and lower teeth, so that if you start to clench your teeth you'll bite your tongue and thereby be reminded.

>> Several times a day, become aware of the level of tension in your jaw. When you realize the TMJ is tense, open and close your jaw slowly, massage the joint, thrust the lower jaw forward a bit - whatever it takes to relieve the tension in the TMJ.

>> I just read the post above by Branmuffin, and it reminded me -- change the habit of propping your chin on your hand or fist. When I need to prop my head, what I do now is prop my cheekbone(s). Here's what I mean: Spread your thumb apart from your index finger, and center the web part on your upper lip, just under your nose but leaving room to breathe through your nose. Use the thumb joint to support one cheekbone and your index finger to support the other. Or just prop your fist against your cheekbone instead of against your chin.

Those are the ones I can recall. I bet you can find more by Googling TMJ pain . Best wishes!

My BMI was 36 when I started this journey, but the only one who has asked me a question like the ones you've gotten was someone on this forum. It didn't bother me, especially when I saw on my questioner's profile that he/she started out at a much higher BMI.

Even though my weight was "only" 204 when I met my surgeon, he did not indicate any hesitation about my need for the surgery. My goal weight is 130, and I have tried many, many times to lose that 74 lbs.

While I am almost totally off my diabetes meds now, and I hope to be able to stop my BP med soon, my motivation for having the surgery was just as much to look better as it was to be more healthy. I want to be in a relationship again some day, and I'm convinced it won't happen until I'm at a "normal" weight. I know, it might not happen even then... but at least I'll have a chance then, and I don't think I have that now.

I agree with Noor1969 - you express yourself so well! I always enjoy reading your posts.

Thank you for inspiring me.

Keep your chin up! You can do this!

The first couple of weeks are the hardest, physically. The pain gets better quickly, and in the meanwhile you have pain medication, right? You just concentrate on getting Water in. Yes, Protein is important, but right now Water is your priority.

Do you have at least one person who can be with you, who did NOT tell you not to do it? Ask that person to visit you for at least a couple of hours a day, and let him/her help you with the things that need to be done - feed the pets, stand by while you shower so you won't be alone when you might get dizzy... And set up a pattern of checking in with him/her by phone 2-3 times a day so that someone keeps tabs on you while you're vulnerable. You can do this!

I'm with Tampa. Been getting massages twice a month and will continue to do so. My skin has become very dry since my surgery, which I attribute to having almost no fat in my diet, so the massage oil helps for that. But I'd continue to get them even if that wasn't the case, just for the relaxation and the feel-good-ness.

At my 4-week check-up I told my surgeon that even though I'd started on soft foods I would like to continue to have a Protein shake for Breakfast each work day, since it's convenient and a time-saver. He said that would be fine.

Congratulations! And I can really see the difference! Your more recent pic doesn't show it, but I bet you've had a chin-ectomy...

My favorite is Premier Protein chocolate. They make a vanilla flavor also, but to me it has a grainy texture. I tried Bariatric Advantage chocolate and one of the nectar ones, but hated them both. Haven't tried unjury (but what's with that name??).

WooHOOOOOO! You done GREAT!! Congratulations!

If you're caught without Water again -- which I bet you won't be after this, but anyway -- try gum or a breath mint. They can help a bit with thirst.

I had no drain, and if there was any leak test it was while I was under anesthesia.