DevilDog

I have the iPad version and cannot locate how to use a private chat. Can someone please share with me how to do that? The web version is probably easier to navigate. I'll check that out later. Thanks everyone! Happy to make new friends.

I'm not looking to date but rather a nice "pen pal." Is that even what they are called anymore LOL. I'm looking for male or female friends that I can relate to during my weight loss journey. I was sleeved in May 2014. Almost at goal and feeling somewhat lonely as I don't have anyone in my circle of friends to communicate with. Not looking for a weirdo or someone to get a bunch of emojis from. Just some good and fun conversation. If you're interested in a "buddy" to have good,conversation I am too.

I'm not looking to date but rather a nice "pen pal." Is that even what they are called anymore LOL. I'm looking for male or female friends that I can relate to during my weight loss journey. I was sleeved in May 2014. Almost at goal and feeling somewhat lonely as I don't have anyone in my circle of friends to communicate with. Not looking for a weirdo or someone to get a bunch of emojis from. Just some good and fun conversation. If you're interested in a "buddy" to have good,conversation I am too.

Can I be friends?

Lol I'm just messing with you hello my name is Emma I got banded years ago and it never worked for me I'm not in the process of getting a revision to gastric bypass I have to lose 40 pounds and I'm at 16 down and I feel like I have stalled and it's so depressing how are you doing in your journey

I'm not looking to date but rather a nice "pen pal." Is that even what they are called anymore LOL. I'm looking for male or female friends that I can relate to during my weight loss journey. I was sleeved in May 2014. Almost at goal and feeling somewhat lonely as I don't have anyone in my circle of friends to communicate with. Not looking for a weirdo or someone to get a bunch of emojis from. Just some good and fun conversation. If you're interested in a "buddy" to have good,conversation I am too.

More Fiber.

The Bariatric Advantage Vitamins made me very sick to my stomach. I tried it on several occasions to be sure and each time I felt very sick. My husband could take them fine but he didn't like the taste. I went to Centrum chewables and those go down great. I'm looking forward to my first set of blood work to see how my levels are.

That is not an easy question to answer but I will give it a try. I miss shopping at the big and tall store. I miss being out of breath when I walk up one flight of stairs. I miss wearing 3XL shirts and size 50 waist pants. I miss being the biggest person in the room. I miss not being able to squeeze into a chair and feeling the armrests digging into my sides. I really miss my heartburn.(You know the kind that hurts so bad, you get tears in your eyes), I miss being called: "Big-T" at work. I miss sitting on my ass everynight shoving my face full of food and playing video games until 2 in the morning. I miss the sound of my thighs rubbing together when I walk. I miss trying to convince myself that because I had a bad day, I am entitled to eat whole pizzas, and drink 2 liter bottles of soda. I miss telling myself that tommorrow I will start my diet. I miss not getting compliments on how good I look. I miss staring at my feet when I walk in public. I miss not having self confidence. I miss my double chins. I miss how round my face once looked.
You can drink soda again. I have a few co-workers who have gained most if not all of their weight back. It has been said a million times on this site, but the surgery is a tool and that's it. It's what you decide to do with this tool that will make you successful.

When I was early post op and went out with friends I ordered Tomato Soup. I could sip on it for a long time because "it's really hot ;)" As far as being with people that are drinking you can simply say you are watching calories and alcohol is full of calories. Or make your own virgin mixed drink and no one will know the difference. Glass of pineapple juice or cranberry juice diluted with Water if you want to cut the calories. No need to be a hermit. I'm over a year out and my husband and kids are the only one that know about my surgery. My thought is that I want to enjoy life, not hide from it because I've had a personal surgery that I don't care to share with anyone.

You're doing just fine! Just keep your portions to two ounces so you don't overeat. Don't try to search for that "full" feeling, just stick to the portions you're supposed to. Remember the inside of your stomach is still really numb from being sliced and stapled and will be for the first 6 weeks so you may not feel that restriction yet, but it definitely comes later when you start on chunkies.
Keep up the good work!

Hello,
We were sleeved 2 days ago on the 21st. Still on liquids but no hunger pains. We were able to start Protein today and that gave us quite a burst of energy. The pain is manageable and things seem to be going well. I'm 48 with a starting weight of 281. She's 45 with a starting weight of 251. We're both 3-5 pounds over the starting weight due to the fluids. Looking forward to next week when the pounds start coming off!

We are walking for about 10 minutes every 3-4 hours. Then we are resting. Make sure to keep up with your pain meds. It makes all the difference. How far out are you?

Awesome! We are going to increase our distance when we get back home tomorrow.

Had to add a few to the list:
I won't miss having others assume I am dumb because I'm fat.
I won't miss trying to make myself small so they don't notice how big I am.
I won't miss hating myself all the time and blaming all things on weight when I know it's not true.
I won't miss feeling invisible.
This was hard to write but I'm glad I did...

What I won't miss?
Like you, wearing black. My partner once told a friend that my favourite colour was black. That's only because that's all I wear! I HATE black and can't wait to wear bright yellow
My thighs rubbing together when I wear a dress or skirt. Hence I haven't worn either in 10 years. When I lose the weight, I am chucking out all my trousers and am buying a wardrobe of lovely feminine dresses and skirts.
Sweating and feeling hot all the time and blaming it on hormones.
Seeing my reflection in a window and thinking how ugly I am
Fearing intimacy.
The self loathing
Not being able to cross my legs
I definitely won't miss not being able to walk along a beach comfortably without thinking everybody is looking at me and wondering what the heck somebody 'that size' is doing at the beach.
I won't miss being the biggest person at work.
I won't miss fearing my next blood test wondering if I now have diabetes.
I won't miss waking up and being grumpy.
I AM looking forward to loving me, and learning to appreciate what I had in my early 20's.....the fact that I may never be skinny, but at least I will be healthy, happy and confident.
Bring on 20th May!

I won't miss...
-being out of breath from tying my shoes.
-my chins. All of them.
- under the boob sweat. (Classy...I know)
-the indentations left in my skin from too tight jeans & socks.
-lifting my stomach up to button my pants.
-wearing black everyday.
-granny panties
-dreading hot weather...tanks, short sleeves, bathing suits, shorts. Ugh!
-hiding behind others in pictures (ie...my profile pic!)
-feeling like I want to just sleep all day.
-the guilt after every meal.
-walking like a 90 year old up & down the stairs.
-fear of sex with the lights on.
-my mother saying the words " Now you just need to stick with it!" ( Nails. Chalkboard.)
-blood pressure medication
-making excuses.
-crying in fitting rooms
-the disappointment I have in myself
I'm sure there is more to add, but I needed to write it down so I can look at this when I'm in pain after surgery, or if I ever question my decision and remember exactly how I felt. I need to remember so I never ever re-visit this kind of lifestyle again.
I deserve to treat myself better. I am done slowly digging my own grave.
Like Garth Brooks says, "I'm much too young to feel this damn old!"
Fingers crossed that I can schedule a surgery date at my visit tomorrow!
I'm ready! Let's get this Protein party started!

I'm 3 weeks out from surgery (about 24 days). I'm in the three week stall and I am ok.
Am I struggling with Water and Protein? Yes.
Am I not getting enough sleep? Yes.
Am I exhausted and not getting my daily exercise in? Yes.
Am I depressed? No.
Why? Because I adjust, I do better each day. Each day I push myself. If there is something that is outside the scope of what I should be eating I throw it out. I don't put it away for later, I just chuck it out.
I added strength training (resistance) to my routine and I know I'm retaining water because of it. Instead of having a melt down I will continue with the light resistance training 3x a week. Why? Because it makes me feel better: stronger, healthier, like I'm advancing. When I weighed in this morning my weight was UP (and I wanted to freak out but I didn't). I know it is because of water retention (and lack of water). My rational brain is fighting to keep me calm.
I couldn't sleep well last night but I woke up and came here to read and find solace in the community. And though sleepy I found reason to keep taking steps forward. Even though it nauseates me in the mornings I'm working on my water. I had a tsp of Peanut Butter and am working on a Protein shake right now.
I am separated from my significant other and I slid on my water and protein focus because of that last week. Also, I have been stressed and so my body is holding on to everything; I can feel it (isn't that a funny thing?). But still, I nap when I find the relaxation and I wake up ready to keep going.
Now, I have resistance bands at home and my treadmill arrives tomorrow. I watched weight of the nation last night and I didn't feel like such a failure. Just another warrior on this path with the rest of you. I forgot myself in the fog of my sadness: I forgot I am not alone, I forgot that this is not a journey of days but of months and years.
And so, even though I am tired, hope wakes here. Thank you. Because of all of you and the strength you show; because of all of you and the weakness we share; because I took the leap off the cliff and it is time to trust my wings and fly.
As I ponder the struggles of this journey I keep reminding myself: no matter if you trip or stumble, just get up, keep going, hope remains.

So, the good news is "YES", you will be able to drink normal again. The even BETTER news is, you will have a new definition of what "normal" is. Just like you will be able to eat a normal amount of calories and consume a normal amount of potato chips.
No, you will not be able to do anything "normally" like you did pre-op. That includes eating, drinking, exercise, getting up from the floor, getting dressed, washing yourself, wiping the nether regions, seeing the nether regions, having sex, sitting in an airplane, going to an amusement park ...
I love my new normal.

Honey, just my opinion, but I think you need to rethink WLS completely, regardless of the method. Read here and on other boards about how many people regain weight after RNY (and lapband and sleeve, too). That is because WLS is just a tool. It won't keep you from sabatoging yourself. You need to get your head on straight before you attempt this.
If you have a sugar problem, it's really best to address it beforehand. Some thoughts:
Get on a low carb Atkins type diet asap and stick with it. Once you get past induction phase your need for carbs and sugar is substantially lower. You may find this is all you need. Attend counseling prior to getting surgery to deal with food issues. Understand how eating slider foods can easily disrupt and delay weight loss with WLS. Learn about addiction transferring and how some people with sugar addictions switch it to other foods/alcohol etc. and still continue to sabotage their weight loss Really understand how liquid and soft calories can cause you to stop losing and regain weight. Best of luck to you however you decide.

Thank you for all the feedback. I feel the same way about waiting to tell until I am 100% sure they will understand. Love this app!