Kacharle

Alex, one of the problems with this poll is vanity sizing is OUT OF CONTROL.
I went pants shopping yesterday and fit most 6's although some 6's were too big. Last time I was at White House Black Market I weighed 10# more than I do now I fit into their 2's-4s....I'd probably be a 0-2 at my current weight. I tried on a true designer label a few months back... and I was more like an 8... so what size do I wear?
Most of my dresses are 8-10s but I am bigger on top then on the bottom. Yet, some tops the small fits and the mediums are too big.
Seriously, the sizing is so inconsistent it is almost meaningless.
I consider being "single digit" sizes to be a big success - but frankly anything without a "W" after it was my idea of successful results post weight loss surgery. My all time largest size pants were 32W (plus sizes use a whole different system) and I pretty much wore 2-3X tops.

This is a big point in clothes sizing. There are garments cut for curvier figures and the size says 6. If my sister in law tried that item on she would swim in it.
There are garments cut for slender figures and the size says 10 and it wouldn't make it past my left butt cheek.
The "ideal" size for me is not in the number but in the fit and the overall look and how I feel in a garment.
I'm a shorty but I am curvy always was, and always will be plus now even back in the day at 100 pounds I still needed clothes that fit an hour glass figure. Not always easy to find so you have to be willing to juggle "size" and taylor clothes to fit.

As many have suggested, height and frame go hand-in-hand when it comes to an ideal dress size. I would love to fit comfortably in a size 6 for my 5'6" medium build frame. I'm currently an 8/10, having to go with the 10's at times because of my full thighs.

I was wearing a size 20/22W (and squeezing into a tight sz 18). I'm not sure of my dress size but I am currently in a sz 10 jeans and for elastic skirts a medium and for regular button skirts, a sz 10/12.
In a perfect world where I don't have tons of loose skin (which may happen if i get any smaller) i would want to be a sz 6 or at the very smallest a sz 4. I have never been a size 6 or 4. Even in middle and high school I was an 8 or 10.
I am 5'7 but not very toned, so I still have a belly and curves.

My goal was always single digits. I know wear a 0/2. I look at myself and don't see a size 2 or XS, but everything else is too big. So strange to come from a size 24.

Geez... Had the same issues. On top of nausea..GERD, gas, and profound hunger, often at the same time. Give yourself some time and love. This is the way your body is responding to major surgery! I couldn't vomit either! Also our relationship and view of food will be VERY different. You won't ever look at food the same way again. As for me, I look at food as a vehicle for Vitamin intake and not much else, since I don't even enjoy eating anymore! My family DOES NOT know that I had the procedure done, so this is a very lonely journey for me. I digress... You have only just made it through surgery and are going through 'growing pains'. Breathe and drink as much as you can while transitioning... Go slow and listen to your body signals of fullness. You'll be great!

Geez... Had the same issues. On top of nausea..GERD, gas, and profound hunger, often at the same time. Give yourself some time and love. This is the way your body is responding to major surgery! I couldn't vomit either! Also our relationship and view of food will be VERY different. You won't ever look at food the same way again. As for me, I look at food as a vehicle for Vitamin intake and not much else, since I don't even enjoy eating anymore! My family DOES NOT know that I had the procedure done, so this is a very lonely journey for me. I digress... You have only just made it through surgery and are going through 'growing pains'. Breathe and drink as much as you can while transitioning... Go slow and listen to your body signals of fullness. You'll be great!

i tend to eat things i like (and since i can only eat so much due to my WLS) i make sure it is worth it...food is GREAT and it is delicious.....i see it very differently now that i my eating and my life has changed..i thought if did not have a bag of BBQ per day with a six pack of beer i would die...well flash forward 22 months, i am still around and now i crave (crave be key word) and prefer fresh veggies and lean Proteins and actually taste/enjoy real food...sure some things are a bit pricey (96% lean beef or filet migon (dinner for me tonight).......to surmise, eat what you like and what tastes good....and dont focus/over think eating (i use to)......eat to live and not live to eat...

I eat real food only. Well, 99% of the time. Can only eat so much , I want quality

I don't count fat or calories, only Protein and sugar. As someone said, we eat so little so I try to make it count nutrition-wise, and enjoy it, too. My nut said to become a gourmet - eat good quality foods and learn to savor the flavors. So that is what I do. :-)

I try to eat only real food.
I also try to avoid eating those edible, food-like substances made from chemicals as they're not ACTUALLY food and they mess up your hunger signals.

Throwing in my 2 cents... I feel that I've gone through too much pain to not try to maximize my weight loss now so with mayo I go light as it's only 35 cal for a tbs and like most other posters if the cal count is down and it tastes comprable then I go with the reduced fat/cal brand but if not then why not go for the taste? Good topic too as I wonder if we know for sure just how all those SF items will affect us down the road with all them chemicals they put in them

I eat the real version of everything. It makes me full faster and I don't get hungry an hour after eating. I rarely eat fried food but choose real mayo, full fat cheese, etc. "Diet" food has always been detrimental to me because it isn't tasty and led me to binge!

Well, I just got up and grabbed one of my bottles of "juice-water" from the fridge. We have beautiful Water where we live but still it's hard for me to drink it plain. I fill up 32 oz. glass juice bottles almost to the top with Water, add in 1/2 cup of aloe vera and a big splash of unsweetened cranberry. This really works for me -- and I need the hydration for joint pain, digestive health, etc. As far as weight loss, when I'm really good about getting the liquids in (I actually try for three of these 32 oz. bottles per day and usually get in two), then I see a drop on the scale. I can drink an entire bottle after a good workout.

Water "keeps things Moving"

I personally find that I do not lose as well when I don't hit my Water minimums. I also need more than 64 oz a day because I live in the desert. Dehydration is bad stuff and I don't see why anyone would even consider risking it, but that's just my opinion, and I am not a doctor (I'm not even "in the medical field" teehee). If you want to go through all this effort, time and money for your sleeve to screw it up by not drinking enough Water, go for it. No judgement here.
Personally, if I'm going to screw up, it's going to be over something huge and wonderful and preferably involving alcohol and/or chocolate, not something lame like water LOL

One factor is the fact that we can't drink much at a time, too quickly, or immediately before and after eating, especially in the early months following surgery. Dehydration is a very real problem and can be at the least, unpleasant, and at the worst, dangerous. It often results in an expensive ER visit.
Another factor is that, as you lose weight so quickly, a lot of toxins that are stored in fat are released into your system. Your liver works very hard to filter these from your body. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to flush these toxins out.
It is a well known inarguable fact that there are many benefits to staying well hydrated, whether you've had weight loss surgery or not. :-)

I've got gerd now, ibs now, still have delayed emptying, food intolerances, and no my GI docs haven't done anything for it.
I am the only one, outside of my church family that knows too. I dont consider it a lonely journey at all.

This lasted a few months for me. Acid reflux was particularly bad. I was told to see the GI doc that was part of my pre-screen. He told me to stay away from chocolate (protein drinks) and them prescribed a pump inhibitor that I couldn't afford. That's where I started researching natural remedies.

Thank you so much for the information. My husband is terminal. In saying that he has NASH non alcholoic cirrhosis and liver cancer which they caught to late because the Dr. WOULD NOT do a ct after I begged for two years because of his family history. He doesn't drink and never has. He doesn't smoke either and never has. Two brothers and his Dad died of cancer. He is just 48 and he really looks so much older. My heart is broken and I am just taking care of him as best I can. He isn't in pain and we are Christians and we know where he is going. We take off 25 lbs of Fluid every week from his tummy. It is gut wrenching to watch him. First picture is us last August, then last week, last pic is when we met 10 years ago. He was diagnosed in Jan. :'( I can't even think of my weight. I was almost to goal and have gained 15 pounds back. Mostly from sugary coffee drinks and creamy fudgesicles at night. Just pray for us if you believe in prayer. Because we do. Thank you so much.
  

You will be fine... I continue to eat healthily, get your Water and Protein in. You've come this far! As for me, the pre-op diet was more to prepare myself MENTALLY for what was coming... Post-op, I was losing slowly, then BAM! It went pretty quickly! Over 100lbs a year in. You'll be great!

Take care to yourself......perhaps, you should see another physician,,,? Perhaps, a cardiologist....to see why you are fainting ?How are you Vitamin levels....?Are you able to eat enough....?you need to keep hydrating......with fluids.....stay well and all the best,,,,,,

My doctor only required a two day liquid diet. The two weeks before were no carbs. I think you will be just fine as you are "cheating" healthy!

Honestly, if you were not nervous, there would be some deeper issues. I too have gone through all the steps and will be having surgery the end of the month. Until I got the approval from the insurance company I was fine. Once the approval came in, the panic started. To sum up a very long story, if you are having any anxiety know that it is totally normal. If it would help, talk to a nurse or your surgeon and discuss your concerns. I had over 40 questions for my surgeon and she took the time to sit with me and answer all of my questions and reassure me that I was making the right decision. There are also tons of support groups aside from this website, which has been a God send to me, that can help you. Just relax and know that what you are feeling is normal. This is a HUGE commitment being nervous is OK.

I'll second the cherry recommendation. I occasionally have gout in my left wrist. It feels like I've broken a bone. I buy the cherry juice at the health food store (get the kind that is without sugar added). It's very tart, so you may need to mix it with a cup of crystal lite to be able to drink it. Improves the gout in a day or two. If you drink it once or twice a week it keeps it from coming back.