WorldTraveler

Ah, I never thought about using it in coffee; thanks!

Congratulations on reaching the half-way point! It is a constant struggle for all of us and will be life long. Thankful for forums where we can share with people who get it.

Very WISE advice. I too am a sugar/carb addict and will have to alter my life from now on. I was carb/sugar free for 5 months then had sugar and got sick. But, like an addict, kept coming back to it until it no longer made me sick. I gained back 40 of the 50 pounds I worked and paid to lose on a strict low-carb diet plan. Now, with getting sleeved, I know I cannot go back down that slippery slope. Too dangerous for me.

Congratulations on your amazing transformation! Good luck with your LBL-I'll be there in a year or two!

curious: how long after getting sleeve can I eat a quest bar? 4 months out or more?

I can imagine it gets frustrating. I am endlessly amazed at how rude people are with personal questions at work. I think because we all spend so much time together trapped in a big building during the week, we think we are close or entitled to private info about our coworkers. I keep in mind that I have nothing to do with these people outside of work and don't join in or encourage personal conversations. If someone complains about their diet around me, I smile and say nothing. I know if I say anything, the conversation will work its way back to me and my diet. It's ok to vent on here we all get it

Congratulations on your surgery date! I'll be sleeved a few weeks after you. There are May 2014 sleeve support groups and also support groups by location on the forum. Not sure if there is one for moms-but you could start one Stay on the forum and share your experience.

I haven't been sleeved yet, but from what I have read about other's experiences, this is normal. You actually leave the hospital weighing more due to all the fluids and swelling after surgery. So, one week post-op, the scale doesn't go down much. Follow the post-op diet from the doctor-don't deviate Walk every day as much as you can The weight will come off That's the wisdom I have gathered from reading for the past three months I'm sure others post-sleeve will have better advice. Good luck to you! 7 pounds in a week is wonderful! Have you read the thread about Dos and Don'ts after surgery. I think Lil Miss Diva put it together and it's a very positive list to read. One of the "don'ts" is: don't say I just lost _ pounds. Every loss is a victory!

What a scary experience. So glad you are doing well today! Are you on blood thinners now for life? When you flew 6 weeks post-op, did you walk around or wear compression socks?

Glad to hear it went well. How do you feel today?

I plan on well-said. I'm starting to pre-op diet with low carb and walk everyday at work. I will be off for 2 weeks for the surgery and when I get back, I will just say: low-carb, portion control, exercise. It's the truth. They don't need to know I have a tool to enforce portion control.

congratulations on your sleeve!

This was such a beautiful reflection over your experience! I love it. This is wonderful reassurance for those of us awaiting surgery right now! Congratulations to you on your amazing transformation.

Good for you! Congratulations on taking control of your health! May 12th is right around the corner. Stay on the Forum for positive encouragement

Happy to hear you are all set! All the best to you!

It's an amazing moment when you realize there is less of you and all your hard work is paying off! Congratulations!!!! Have a wonderful weekend!

Hi Cara, We have very similar situations! I have 2 blood clotting disorders but have never had a clot. I take a baby aspirin daily, but had to inject blood thinners during pregnancy. I am also having surgery in Mexico. My doctor knows as well and asked for me to start Lovenox 5 days before surgery (a very low dose, like half a shot) and I will need to continue after surgery. I am having surgery on May 26 and going home on late afternoon of the 29th, so 3 days after. I was told to get compression socks of at least 12mghh and will have blood thinners. I live in Colorado, so my flight is not so bad, but I plan on walking the aisles every hour. How long is your flight? You can also do ankle circles in your seat and swing your legs. I would contact the doctor and make sure they know your concern and they have an aftercare plan for you on the plane ride home. Chances are they have dealt with this before and will have a quick answer for you. I hope this is a little helpful. Best of luck to you

I'm so sorry to hear that! I was following her as well and hoping for an update. I wish her and her daughter lots of healing!

Thank you for sharing your story! That took a lot of courage to get back on track; congratulations! I completely understand the "all or nothing" mindset-that's me. I think you bring up a very wise, valid point...have a back up plan. We all use food for getting through situations, so we need plan Bs and Cs. Take care!!!

Close, but not the same place/doctor...darn! Good luck to you

Hello Traveler! You raise a great point so my friend was like wow ur doing great why can't u just do this instead of surgery? So I said well u do this for a week and let's see how u go? People think it's "the easy way out" I think it's like a reset on ur tummy giving urself a second chance an I stand talk and proud and my haters are my motivators lol. Mmmm carbs I'm dying for a good burger or some fries or a kebab omg I'm starving lol but I hope my doctor compliments me on my skinny liver and is like wow that was the best liver I've seen!!!! Believe me I'm trying to hang in ther 9 days to go!!!!! So what are u planning to do for preopp have u got some meals in mind? Most naturally, normal-weight people wouldn't survive a week in our situations-we do have incredible will power and have all suffered more than they can imagine over years of dieting and starvation. This is exactly why the only people I told are my husband and my friend who had wls 6 years ago.

thank you!

. Me too! My date is May 16th and I'm very excited , I'm actually only 15 but i guess the earlier the better. Congratulation on taking care of your health early! If I could go back to 15 and skip all the disordered eating/fad dieting/starvation/bulemia and over-exercising, I would do exactly what you are doing. Good luck to you

I know it sounds weird, but chewing cardamom pods can help with ketosis breath. Don't overdo it, cardamom is a powerful flavor and can be overwhelming. I used these when I was on an extremely low carb diet.

Sorry to hear that (about the peanut butter). Thank you so much for your descriptions and updates. This is so great to have an idea what to expect! I had read about people saying they couldn't eat a former favorite food after surgery, but no one described what happens. I appreciate the time you take to keep us informed of your journey. You are doing so well! Keep up the great work and congratulations!!