Madelyne Bonthron

Police? In the rants and raves section? I'd say you walked into a den of thieves. I'm with inittothinit....go for it!

REALLY!!?? You need to take a chill pill, Madam Reverie. This place is for everyone to learn, vent, talk and enjoy the camaraderie of all of us in this unique situation. Everyone else here is seems so happy to help others as they were once helped themselves. If you don't fit this 'mold' anymore, well...goodbye...

Nope that is your body telling you to stop eating.....It is a signal for you...Even before you had surgery your body gave you signals that you ate enough but we ignored them because of our relationship with food....
Some people take a deep breath. Others fold their arms. Some say no I'll let this settle before I eat more.....
After you start sneezing, or have a runny nose...Put your fork down and listen to your sleeve. i wait a few minutes to see how the food is feeling in there. Sometimes I eat more and sometimes I push the plate away.....I have the same signals...A lot of us do!

GREAT NEWS!!!! I just went to my Nutritionist / Doctor for my 3 month follow up and i have lost 100lbs OMFG i cant believe it ! I just broke down and cried when i seen that on the scale i am no longer in the 400lbs weight group .
I am not in the 300s OMG!!! I was 487lbs i am now 390lbs WOW!! Im so happy! I was feeling down lately because i couldnt weigh myself on home scales because i was to heavy But now i see the light at the end of the tunnel! LIFE DOES GET BETTER!!!

I am cankle-free.

Got back from Dominican Republic for my 1 yr. wedding anniversary. Love how i can fit in the seats and can still jiggle of how much space i have left. Good thing is i didnt gain. I am down to 222.

Like previous posters, I received a card from my doc. Call yours and see if they provide one. Good luck

My wife & I recieived a card from our surgeons stating we've had bariatric surgery & can only eat a small portion, most places will give you a child's price but they are all different. Only found one that didn't honor it so far.

I used one recently for a brakfast buffet at a hotel and got away with "only" paying $5 for my one egg instead of $10!

Ask your surgeon for one.

On the other hand, paying $5 is cheap compared to before the sleeve when I would have paid the $10 and felt like I needed to get my money's worth - eating some of everything available. Now that's expensive in a different way!

This was a happy mothers day for me! My daughter had taken me shopping a year ago for a "goal dress" to wear when I loose the weight. This month is my 1 year anniversary month and I am able to wear the size 8 dress!!!

My doc said no straws for drinking. I don't know if that's forever or while healing. Said it brings in excess air.

Many doctors have stopped doing the band because they are not finding it good for people long term...you are lucky your insurance is going to cover it...

The sleeve has been a god-send to me...I have RA and could barely walk...even tho I'm not where I want to be, I feel like a "normal" person again.
Are you afraid of another surgery or just the fact that they want to do the sleeve? You should do GREAT with it!
Best of luck!

My nut never gave me a calorie goal. Good thing since I'm one of those "rebel sleevers" and I've never once counted my calories since surgery. I tracked Protein and fluids for 2 months to make sure I was meeting minimals, but now I just wing it. I eat when I'm hungry and drink all day long. Eat Protein first and avoid carbs. Never give fat content or calories a thought. I still drink 1-2 protein shakes/day or I know I wouldn't be getting enough protein because I can only eat such a tiny amount. It's just me, but I could never do this thing if I was worried about tracking everything all day. There just seems to be a lot of posts on here from people stressed out over numbers... I've got enough stress in my life I don't have to create any more.
I did stall for a month at 6-10 weeks out and really didn't do anything special to break the stall. I knew it would end when my body was ready. Besides, I lost a whole pant size while not losing weight so it's not always about the numbers on the scale. I only weigh once a week, so I wouldn't notice a 3-4 day stall anyways. Good luck with everything!

Lisa, I wasn't going to sign on tonight but I'm so glad I did, even if it's only to send you encouraging words. Just over 2 years ago I lost my brother to terminal cancer. I know all too well what your going thru and what's to come. You really need to remember that your health is important in order to keep your strength and energy up. Just remember back when you were at your heaviest how much effort it took to do the simplest of tasks. You know in your heart you don't want to go back to that, you just need to remind your head of that. Have you thought of contacting your psych for a consult? I'm sure he/she would be more then willing to help you through this and they're trained to assist in overcoming your demons when your at your worst. It may not seem easy, but you should try to take some time for yourself also. If your husband requires a constant companion see if a friend of his will come by on a Saturday morning or afternoon so you can do something for yourself. Get a mani or pedi, go to lunch with a dear friend or even go see a movie by yourself, something that will make you laugh. Your a very important person in your husbands life, now more then ever so it's really necessary for you to take care of yourself. When you go to the store you need to remember to buy the things you know are good for you and stay away from the no no's. Or, ask a friend or family member to shop for you or go with you, then maybe you won't be tempted. (peer pressure works for me, my friends don't let me slip up) Above all else, remember to keep coming back here for support. Anytime you need to talk your welcome to message me. I'll help in any way I can. My thoughts and sympathies are with you.

My prayers have been answered!!! I received a phone call this morning and surgery is scheduled for May 27th. They were able to get me in before my new insurance plan kicked in and I would have had to pay my deductable!!! So excited!!!

100% would do it all over again. Love my second chance

The va will be able to help you just talk with the social worker. What VA are you going to?

The va will be able to help you just talk with the social worker. What VA are you going to?

I use VA facilities also. I know when I had an appt with them 5 hrs away (Portland, Or) last summer, they offered a van that takes patients to their appts there everyday of the week. I turned it down. They leave at like 3 am and I'd rather just go myself.
I'm sure most VA facilities provide transportation for u. Call ur local clinic and find out.
Good luck to u!

Would ABSOLUTELY do it again! Best decision I ever made (after marrying my husband)! LOL! It is normal to be scared. This is a HUGE life-changing choice. There are risks. Any surgery is a risk. But for many the risks of staying morbidly obese are worse. I had some minor post-op issues, Constipation and worse reflux, which is still an issue for me. If I wasn't a professional singer the reflux would probably not be that much of an issue but it affects my voice. I knew that it might be an issue but still chose to go forward and would, as I said, absolutely do it again. I still struggle with emotional/stress eating and my appetite returned around month 8 or 9 post-op. I was recently smacked in the face, metaphorically speaking, by my emotional eating and I think for long-term success one must come to terms with whatever triggers you to overeat. The surgery is a great tool but it doesn't cure the disease.

As I was standing in the shower, letting the hot Water warm me (cause i am still cold all the time) I realized something - I CAN SEE MY FEET - and not just the toes... there was no HUGE belly in my view!!!! i know this sounds stupid... but i started to cry - tears of joy - it was like the moment the bath towel fit all the way and then some around my body... i am only 4 months out & i am so thankful I had the sleeve... Wishing everyone a HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Congrats on your progress. As of right now i am down 93 lbs from nov 19,2013. I am hoping to hit my 100 lb weight loss soon