CheleLynn45

I took 5 weeks off only because I could. I only work part time, but am on feet all day when I am there. But at the two week mark I am pretty sure I could have gone back to work but I so enjoyed the time off!!!!!

Today is actually 8 weeks and one day post op but when I got on the scale today I was down 50.5 lbs!!!!!!!! I was so excited, I had to double and triple check!! I got back to the my doc on Dec 30th for my next check up. I feel so good, and am not struggling with my eating. I am doing two shakes a day and one small meal (what my doc wanted me to do) and because the weight is coming off it makes it much easier to stay on track. I am trying to work the hell out of this sleeve as much as I can in the early months. Just wanted to share, this site has been so helpful I hope that I can be helpful to all you out there just starting your journey!!

I can feel your excitement in your post!! Way to go!! Keep up the good work!!!

Congratulations!! But I would have also removed the 2 pairs of pj pants, 1 sweatshirt and tshirt. LOL

Originally from outside of Buffalo, NY Now live in Tucson, AZ

Hope everything is going well with your recovery!! All you guys amaze me. I am such a big baby. My husband took a whole week off of work, my mom flew in to be with me for two weeks, and I was off work for just about 5 weeks (I would have taken longer but hubby said I had to go back LOL) I only work part time so financially we were fine. Honestly I was feeling pretty good and if I had to be by myself I could have after the first week. My husband is very very helpful around the house and my 15 yr old daughter took great care of me too. And to me it is always nice to have your mommy around when you are sick no matter how old you are. Because I only work part time, I could have gone back to work after week two, but it was soooo nice to have the time off to get used to my new eating and routines. Again, I really hope you are doing well, let's us know how it's going!!!!

I was feeling the same way a couple of weeks ago. I seem to be losing between 4-5lbs a week right now. I will be 8 weeks out on Monday and as of this morning am down 48lbs. My doc asked me to weigh every day and log it at my 2 1/2 week check up. So that is what I have been doing, which is odd to me since I have always weighed weekly. I go back to see him on Dec 30th and I will see what he wants me to do then. I am following my docs orders super closely and trying to get as much of this weight off as I can before I slow down or stall (which seems to happen to most) Good Luck and continued success in your journey!!

I have been using this daily since I got it. Right now I have been putting it into 32oz of decaf tea I brew in the morning for my Breakfast. I add some splenda and 2tbsp fat free land o lakes creamer, and for 98 calories, 2 grams of sugar and 31 grams of Protein it has been working wonders for me. I also get 32oz of liquid in right off the bat for the day. Now that it is chillier here in AZ it is tougher for me to get my Water in so this helps immensely. I am still on two shakes a day and one small meal per my docs orders so I usually have my small meal at dinnertime with my family. I love this protein. I feel it is working great for me. I also drink a premiere Protein shake for lunch daily. I will be 8 weeks out on Monday, I am down 48lbs and I feel really good. I have energy, and am sleeping great. Thanks so much for all the responses!!!!

Make sure you do take pics and measurements......you will regret it if you don't!!! Good Luck on your journey!!

My daughter takes my pics for me. We took pics the day before surgery in a skin tight tshirt she made me that is an XL that says Best Mom Hands Down with her handprints on it. And also in bra and undies. We are doing them monthly. I am coming up on 8 weeks post op this coming Monday so we wil be taking new pics an measurements this Sunday. Everyone I talked to said make sure you take pics and measurements. So I am!!!!

@Kindle Before I clicked on your picture I thought the arrows were your scars, then when I clicked on it and it got bigger I could see they were arrows. LOL I'm hoping mine fade like that since they are pretty light now and I am only 7 1/2 weeks post op!!!

I have one below my right breast, one below my left breast, one a little lower below my left breast, then a fourth one to the left of that one (which has lovely marks from band aids around it, looks like a flower. LOL I never have had an issue with band aids or anything irritating my skin, but this time the band aids left marks on me that are still there. Oh and one inside my belly button. This one took forever to heal but I had had previous surgery that cut thru my belly button so I think that is why, plus that is where my stomach came out. My scars (minus the flower petals from band aids) are very light and tiny!!!

Not sure why the second pic posted sideways, it looked upright when I did it? LOL

I am 7 weeks post op. I was going thru my pictures looking for a certain picture for a Christmas present. Well I came across a picture of me and my daughter from a baby shower about a month before my surgery. And I was comparing it to a recent pic on my phone I took. I was amazed at the difference!! I hope they come across this is the first time I am adding two pics at once.

I am in AZ and I was freezing here today. I was always warm, and I think post op earlier this year I was having hot flashes. LOL

The only thing my doc said to me about Protein shakes is he wanted them to have between 20-30 grams of protein, low calories and low sugar.

I feel very similar. I eat one small Protein filled meal a day plus two shakes per my doc. I look forward to eating my dinner with my family, but once I start I do feel full pretty fast and full for a longer times. I am only 7 weeks post op.

@@simplyblessed I use GENEPRO. I get it on amazon.com. It has 30grams of Protein. I use it everyday in my decaf hot tea. I drink either 24-32oz of decaf tea every morning. That way I get in my liquids and my protein. I then drink one RTD premiere Protein shake for lunch and then a small protein filled meal for dinner. I am 7weeks post op and I feel great!! I have been losing steadily!! Good Luck with your journey!!!

I used Premiere Protein pre op and I use it post op. Pre op I added 4oz of 1% milk to cut down the sweetness. I also had to do this for a few weeks right after surgery. I now can drink them without the milk just fine. I also used unflavored protein powder and put it into a Progresso light French onion soup, I strained out the onions and just drank the broth. I couldn't take all that sweet everyday.

I was up walking the day of my surgery. The first time I only went to the end of the hall and back. I got up every couple hours to walk and each time I went further till I made it all the way around the floor. I even got up at night and walked. My husband stayed with me so he helped me around each time. Then once home I walked everyday. Each time going further and further. I then broke it up to walking 20 mins three times a day, and then 30 mins twice a day until around end of 2nd week I could do a whole hour at the gym on the treadmill. Each time pushing myself to go a little faster. At about the 3 week mark I took a zumba class, it kicked my butt and I only did 30 minutes then 30 mins on treadmill. But the next time I went I did the whole class. I couldn't do all the moves she did but I was continuously moving the whole time. I felt so good that I got thru it. Then at about 4 weeks I started some strength training with my hubby and daughter. I try to get to the gym or do something 3-4 days a week depending on my work schedule!!

@@brians34 Here is the whole recipe (it might be from eggface.com but I really don't remember?) When I make it I cut it in half and get four servings that work perfectly for me. 8oz Ricotta part skim 1/2 cup grated parmesan 1 large egg beaten 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 marinara or spaghetti sauce 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella mix ricotta, parmesan, beaten egg, seasonings together. Place in a over proof dis. Pour the marinara on top and then top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 450 for about 20-25 mins. With the ingredients I use, and for half the recipe these are the counts I get. 94 calories 7.25 grams of Protein 4 grams of sugar (this is because of the spaghetti sauce I use) My doc wants my sugar grams at 25 or less and I am always around 6-9 only for the day so I use the sauce I like!!

@HalloweenBaby24 $125 for a follow up visit?? I didn't pay anything at my first follow up at 2 1/2 weeks and I have my next apt on Dec 30th. If anything I should only have to pay my copay which is $35. My appt on Dec 30th is with the NP and I really like her. She listens, she is involved and I do not feel rushed. I have had no issues really either but I do think the follow up is important. It's sad that some on here seem to have great docs and others not so much. Some have great support and some nope. It is great that there is a place like this where people can go and share and ask and advise. I am 7weeks post op and I am on here basically everyday. I try to offer advice and encouragement when I can. I am glad to hear your aren't having issues that is great!!!!

I haven't had any issues with dumping and I am 7 weeks post op. But then again I am following my docs orders to the letter. I am to afraid to eat or try anything I'm not suppse to. LOL On one hand I am afraid it will hurt me or my stomach and I will feel sick and then on the other hand I am afraid it will not and I will eat more of it So for now I am working my tool to the best of my ability. I want to get the most bang for my buck (just an expression my insurance covered my surgery) in the first 6months that I can. Cause I know after that it will come off slowly and I have quite a bit left to lose. Good Luck and don't make yourself crazy. I was like that before my surgery but within the first week post op I realized I was doing just fine, and now I am just enjoying the weight coming off and all my added energy, oh and wearing jeans comfortably for a change.

do you have the amounts you used?? Can I use splenda instead?? Sounds yummy!! I think this would make a nice Christmas dessert for me. I love my ricotta bake I make with spaghetti sauce and mozz cheese.

I also like the premiere Protein in vanilla and chocolate. In the beginning (I am 7 wks post op) and pre op they were to sweet for me so I mixed them with 4oz of 1% milk. Made them easier to drink. Now I use one for lunch pretty much everyday just by themselves.