CrazyJaney

Yes, just under my shoulder blade extending to my ribs. It's like the muscle is pinched but I haven't overused it (on purpose at least). I actually took a flexeril this weekend and it relaxed. It's got to be a change in posture or weight distribution. Annoying. I want to try yoga but can't find a good class offered when I could go.

You're probably just fine. Live and learn! We all do, especially in the early days when there is so much to figure out. It can be overwhelming.

I bought ramikiens to use for Portion Control and some 4ounce food storage cups with lids - all at Amazon. I use them all the time. I know I've eaten 1/2 cup of cottage cheese, etc. I use my food scale all the time to weigh meat, shrimp, etc. it was a good investment.

Ive read in some threads that there maybe numbness in the stomach so that you're not aware of the stretch (in the early days). I have always felt restriction so I'm not sure how true that is. That's one of the reasons to measure everything in the early days. I still measure and weigh although I'm pretty accurate in eyeballing now that I measure so frequently. That is a lot of anything for 2 weeks. You have to have some kind of food plan from doctor I would think. Go back and check where you're suppose to be. For your safety and for future success, you want to be sticking to the program. I would have been in agony after a cup of anything.

I have developed this "stitch" (for lack of a better word) in my mid back to the left. It's like a pulled muscle but without a reason and I think it's posture related. I need to get my core stronger.

Holy cow... You can definitely see it in your face! You look great. Yeah, I know what you mean about body image issues. I am quite sure I could jump out of an airplane without a parachute and land safely due to my new batwings. And I am seriously in search of a bra that can get these saggy things back into place and keep them there. Good grief! One day at a time I suppose. Oh well.

You ain't kidding about the bat wings! It's bad. And the boobs - WTH! Standing sideways in the mirror without a bra is heartbreaking. I'm down 68 total (28 was preop, 40 post op) with surgery on 3/13. Still only hitting 60g a day, sometimes more. It's frustrating. But all is well. Meeting a trainer in the morning at 7. I started at 325 so I still have a long way to go - time to exercise in earnest. No regrets but it's not all rainbows and sunshine.

I took 10 days and was glad to have them. If forced, I could have gone back earlier but I wouldn't have felt great. I'm a nurse manager so mostly desk/walking.

Good luck!!! Excited for you!

I finally got the go ahead to eat Beans. I chewed them very, very well and I was able to eat the entire can of black beans. That makes me a little nervous and I'm wondering if that's normal.

Like a regular sized can? Not sure of the ounces there but you shouldn't be able to eat more than 2-3 ounces of soft food at a time. That sounds like a lot. At 11 weeks post op, I can only do 2.5 ounces of meat/chicken/shrimp/fish. I would weigh and measure everything and stick to your surgeons instructions. Did you have pain? How long did it take you to do that?

Your band size does go down. After nearly 100 pounds I am back down to a 34F/36DD from a 44Gish (wasn't wearing the right size back then).

Yeah!!!!! I'd be so thrilled to go back to a 36. Someone on here described it like tube socks with a tennis ball. Not quite there yet but Holy Smokes - gravity is being tested. I was always anti-plastics. Not any more. I just hope to get to the place where I can do it and afford it somehow.

Soma is an excellent place to get fitted but I think the highest they go is 42 in band size. Not sure but I'm thinking that was it. I got fitted at my biggest and I was amazed at how much better I felt (and they looked). I just threw that bra out today because I was swimming in it. The girls look way deflated after losing 68 #. I'm afraid to go get fitted since I still have a long way to go. Soma is expensive but I really recommend if you have one near you. I always heard your band size never goes back down but I hope that's wrong. I was a 36C for eons. Kids and 100# later I was a 44D. I'd love to be a 36D. Maybe with the miracle of plastics someday!

There is an EXCELLENT thread titled: 4 Things I Wish I Would've Known Pre Op. It's long and wonderful and so very helpful. If I was more techy, I'd know how to put a link here but I can never successfully do that on an iPad or my phone. Search for it, it's worth reading if you are preop.

I'm almost 3 months post op. I've lost 68 (including 28 preop). I regret nothing. And there wasn't anything that surprised me. I read, and read, read before surgery. I think I underestimated a few things: the mind boggling frustration of a stall, how hard it is to drink plain Water, how easy it could be to "cheat". Those were the biggest things that really required an adjustment. The psychological preparation should not be underestimated. From the way others see you change to your own self esteem. It's a major lifestyle change (for me anyway). It is probably worth stating that it's different for everyone with many common themes. And also - try not to judge your progress against everyone else's - unless you want to make yourself cuckoo.

I think we all know what bullying is. I've been around these forums for a while and on many occasions I've seen people be called idiots, morons, not capable, etc. If they didn't use those exact words, it's obviously implied. Then the OP's thread turns into a joke mocking the person asking a question. Then the rude people want to back track by saying it's hard to interpret tone over the internet. We're all adults here. Let's be real.

Amen. I'm many months into my journey with many more to go. I've been grateful to receive encouragement and many pearls of wisdom. But on more than once, I've cringed at the lack of diplomacy (good word) and left that thread with a bad taste. Anytime a word is spoken/typed to induce intimidation, belittle, mock, make fun of, make an example of - that's bullying. Some thrive on that sh@$. Bottom line. It pumps up their little ego to say "I'm so much better than this other, weaker, idiot". Truth can be said in a way that is not hurtful. There is an art to giving feedback constructively. It's easier to leave a zinger, a lovely dose of sarcasm, or just plain meanness. You have to CARE to invest in others. CGJ has, in my opinion, done that well in posts that I've seen. I'm sure it's exhausting. But you do it well and many of us benefit from it. Not everyone puts that much thought into how comments might come across. Done right, it makes a huge difference. Done wrong, it unnecessarily stings. Again, just like life, walk away and kick grass over it. You can only make me feel stupid if I let you.

As far as nutrition....the only instructions I received was to make sure I have 64 oz of liquid a day. First week was clear liquids...went back to doc for check up. Diet was changed to full liquids: creamed Soups (liquefied and strained)thinned with skim milk, CarbMaster (Kroger) yogurt,protein drink ( no amount given). I go back on June 9 th (4 weeks out from surgery) and I will be put on pureed and possibly soft foods. My doctor seems to be more cautious with adding foods then most but I trust that he know what is best for his patients. I am doing really good, I feel good and am walking 1 mile in the morning...1 mile at night and have added walking in my Water aerobics class. I have no problem with energy or hunger. I pray a lot and trust the Lord will get me through this.

I was glued too. Same for me. Incisions healed really well.

I'm going to expiriment with making my own iced coffee. I just had some yesterday with a packet of splenda and skim milk and it was sooooo good. I didn't know Chike was meant to be cold - maybe that's why I hated it!!! LOL

The ignorance of the general medical community is mind boggling. That's why I chose not to tell many. I've been a ICU nurse for 18 years. I have way too many in my group who are irritated by the super obese and just don't really understand. Someone else said it - we have to have thick skin to get through this. Sad that the data hasn't (yet) convinced the medical community at large.

I used mine in hospital but I had to set it up which was not easy post op. I got thrush post op which meant my mouth was nasty and even nastier when dried out. I ditched it for a while but got back into it after a few weeks or so. It's a tool in the weight loss kit though and is suppose to help us lose weight. I loathe mine in general and hope to be off it someday. Just had the settings turned down because I've now lost enough weight that I was being blown up!!! I was waking up burping!! That's a non-scale victory I suppose! But I'll be glad to hopefully lose it someday.

Good point that people take the written word without thought that there is more behind the scenes. I'm always mystified when that happens. Don't people realize all we see of others online is a teeny-tiny piece of their picture? Our histories and our whole lives are not represented in every post. Sometimes I liken it to AA. There are some sober people who are Enlightened, peaceful and supportive. Then there are others who are righteous, indignant and judgy. Same goes with previously obese people I guess. I love that quote. Dogs are so much smarter than humans.

It's expensive, and also on Amazon, but I love Click Protein Expresso. Higher in calories than I would like now that I'm on solids but in the early days, it was a great way to get protein. I stirred it in room temp Water and then heated in mug. It's a little sweet but it was still pretty good. I don't sweeten my coffee normally so I think that's why I thought it was so sweet. There is also a brand called Chike but I was not a fan. Same idea though.

". All I want is savory flavors." that was my own experience too! Well stated.

Mine too! I was sooooo sick of "sweet" in the early days. I do love PB2. It hits the spot when I do crave sweet now.

Prayers!!!

Killing yourself would have been easier.... WOW you might want to get some help.

I think you need to go read RJ story before you make a comment like that. Depression, suicide, true survival, and the will to live are themes that are REAL for some people. Your comment feels a bit sarcastic and that is unacceptable on this forum.

Tried something new this morning and it's a hit. Mixed my Premier chocolate Protein Shake with 2 tbsp of PB2 powdered Peanut Butter. It takes like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. It's so yummy and 35 grams of Protein

This was my favorite when I did shakes all the time. I love PB2.

Not sure how anyone could not SEE that bullying exist on here. It most definitely does - just like everywhere else on the internet and in life. Bullies are weak, little, spineless people who feel power when they say or do something to make others hurt or feel inferior. Then they use the defense that "I was just speaking frankly". I see that on here often. But I also see heaps of goodness and support. The Eleanor Roosevelt quote that says "no one can make you feel inferior without your consent", applies in all areas of life. There are stupid people everywhere. DONT GIVE THEM POWER. Take the good and leave the bad. This site is chock full of good advice sprinkled with negativity here and there. I get what you're saying though - It's like they have amnesia of the early days.