SugarFreeMe

It could last several weeks. Hang tight. Soon you may step on the scale and see a 4 pound drop. You're body is adjusting, it will fix itself. I promise.

Congratulations. I'm one year out soon and LOVE everything about this journey.

If the worst thing you do is suck on a pickle (there's a joke there, but I'll pass for now), you're doing great. Try do drink more fluids, salt will only make you thirstier and that's going to make you want more so it's all good.

If you have High blood pressure this is a sign that your blood pressure is low. You should consult with your physician to have it checked. It could be that your meds are too strong or that you don't need them at all. It could also be low blood sugar, again something you should see your physician about.

Handle it straight away and head on, avoiding the questions will only lead to more speculation, more whispers and more talking. Try this: "Thank you for noticing and asking. You're correct, I have done something, I took control of my life and health, something that isn't easy, but I'm determined. It's nice to know that my hard work is showing. I am however uncomfortable talking with anyone about it with the exception of those closest to me like my family. Thank you for your understanding." Flash your biggest, brightest smile and walk away. If you're confident in your deliver, they won't have reason to question you again. If they continue talking about you behind your back, talk with a manager or HR. Don't let them undermine your hard work though.

Vixie1013 - If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know. I love helping others who are going thru this whole thing. You're going to love Dr Guske and the entire staff. They're all great and so respectful. Also, if you go to Alexian in Hoffman Estates, excellent hospital... loved them as well. Everyone is so kind and understanding. This process was so easy because of them all. I sent a friend request, sometimes it's easier to ask questions that way, then I get an email, I don't always remember to check here. Best wishes for a quick and easy procedure. Terrie

I see this totally opposite of others. If someone asks me questions I think of it as : 1.) They're interested in the procedure and my health. 2.) They're being supportive. If they know about my procedure, it's because I told them about it so they were important enough in my life as I didn't tell anyone I didn't think should know. If they bring it up I valued their opinion in the first place to have include them in that part of my life, I opened myself up to talk with them about it, good, bad or indifferent opinions and all. Could be my positive outlook on life??? I figure that if they took the initiative to ask, they care.

My insurance BCBS of Illinois didn't have any pre-supervised requirements. I had my first surgeon appt on 1/23/14, surgery was 03/17/14 - just under 2 months. So, it depends on your insurance and you surgeons requirements. Good luck, I hope it goes quickly for you like it did for me.

I purchase VitaVusion multi gummies at Walgreens. They taste good and my labs for the past 9 months come back excellent. I know, some Dr.'s don't allow gummies - mine does and they work for me.

My first appt with surgeon Jan 23, 2014, surgery was March 17, 2014 - 2 months start to finish. I had no weight in requirements for insurance, just the pre-op testing and 2 weeks of liquid diet.

Congratulations!!! It's never easy but so worth it.

I'm also a Truvia fan. I like that it's natural with no chemicals. I don't like the taste of Splenda and the other stuff has too much nasty in it.

I also started out with 2/3 tablespoons to start. Even now at nearly10 months out I only eat about a cup of food at best. My body gives me signs that it's done - either a hiccup or belch. One more spoon/mouth full and I'm going to be sorry. Exercise wise, I was near a week out when I started on the treadmill for small sessions. 5 minutes a couple of times a day depending on the energy level. Once you start eating more normally your energy level will increase. I still don't feel "hungry", I eat more according to a schedule because I know I have to eat. Weird??? Yes, but I don't mind that food doesn't control me anymore, I control it. If you think your feeling hungry now, it's head hunger. You need to learn how to deal with it, it's something we all experience and have to overcome. It may mean getting up and doing something (walking, laundry or whatever) or maybe just have a drink of Water. You need to remember that the surgery is only a tool, the brain and body need to be trained to work with it.

Absolutely I would. Type 2 diabetes gone, high blood pressure gone, high cholesterol gone, muscle aches gone, joint pain gone and my energy is higher then its been in forever. Today I shoveled snow for the better part of an hour and the beauty of that is.....I could, I did and it didn't bother me, so YES - in a heartbeat.

I've not heard that age is a factor in how fast or slow you lose weight. I was 52 when I had my surgery (4 days before you it looks like), I've gone thru menapouse (3 years ago) and I have also have hypothyroidism (taking levothyroxine). I'm down a total of 85 pounds and have leveled off now which I'm okay with. I've slowly reintroduced carbs back into my diet so the lack of loss is something I'm controlling, it's not because of age. My surgeon has said I could easily drop another 10 to 15 if I keep the calories lower and don't do carbs but we're both okay with me where I'm at now.

Have you tried the muscle mile shakes. After about a month they were the only things I could stomach any more. I have the muscle milk lite - chocolate.

liquid and pureed where the worst. I promise, it does get better. Hang tight for another couple of weeks. The pain goes away and you'll get to eat "regular" foods again. Getting the hang of this thing (pouch) takes some time.

A friendly email or voice mail (after hours) to remind her your waiting would be okay. Also, remember to add that you need a date so you can schedule time off work. Like everyone, they probably also have more work then they can get done in a days time and a "nice" reminder helps. From experience and from my own side, nasty messages and emails only makes me put people off more then necessary. Kindness is your best option here.

Check your eating habits. I found that the better I felt and the better I did the more lax I got about food. You really need to keep it in check.

Octavia16, thank you for the thoughts, but.....I had my surgery last year. I'm down 87 lbs and basically at goal. I'd like to drop another 5 but if I don't I'm so happy with my results. Good luck with getting your clearance from insurance. My best advise to you would be - Have a positive attitude and follow your surgeons instructions. For some inspiration, below is a day before surgery and a picture from December.

Here's the deal. Did you mess up? Yep - BIG TIME!!! However, what you do about it is what really matters. We've all done it, thinking we're "different" that it "won't happen to me", but it does. Learn from it and move forward. Beating yourself up doesn't change what happened.

I haven't even read your whole post, but by the first two paragraphs my comment is this. Your not there yet - if you're already making excuses for why you can't do this, you're not ready. Surgery is only a tool, you have to be in the right place in your head - Don't do it yet. If you think in the future you may want it, talk with someone, but this isn't something you can only be a little committed to, it's all or nothing.

At first I thought my husband was being un-supportive, then I figured out he was scared for me. I found that by talking about it and educating him it got easier for him. I'm now 10 months out and he's amazed. Keep sharing information, but don't stop - this is for you, your heath, your life, your kids.

Just a quick note to all my fellow March surgery buddies. This year has gone by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday we were all consoling each other with first going thru the pre-surgical process, the never ending appointments, the waiting for approval, the pre-surgical liquid diets, protein shakes, pains, post-surgical food issues, ect...... We're mostly 9 months in and I for one have had such a great year. I feel awesome and have had no real complications to complain about. I've come to terms with food and my emotion, they are no longer dependent on each other which is a huge milestone. If I'm sad, happy, nervous or whatever I've learned how to work thru it, not eat thru it. Life is so fun and exciting again, my energy level is off the charts. So to each and every one of you, I hope that you're doing as well as I am. I hope you've learned to deal with your new self and that life is everything it should be for everyone. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

And you - Holy cow, 139 lbs - You have to feel awesome!!! I can't believe how much I've lost and how much life I've recaptured. This has been by far the best year I've had in a long time. Here's to a future of fun, health and LIVING!!!!