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I will talk more when I start to have more noticable results. I do not want people to think I am sick. But really it is no one's business. A few close friends at work know...otherwise I did not make a big deal about it. I did it near a spring break at my school so I was recovered and back before anyone knew much.

I am with Babbs. A little bit of depression is normal. I was really down and mad two weeks out. Why would I not be, my "crutch" was taken away. All the emotions I supressed with food have to be dealt with in another way. So, I hear you...but you cannot turn back. So be the best you can be...lose that weight and learn to handle the food. In time, some of your favorites will come back. As my surgeon said, "you can make bad choices but you will never be able to over eat again in your life." How true...this is the path YOU chose. So, really choose it and get with it.

I just bought a paper journal (preprinted) at Barnes and Noble. I like it because it tracks water, vitamins, exercise, calories/carbs and protein. I like the feel of having something in my hand.

I agree with the other person who said you should be on a strong antiacid...like a prescription one. I was put on one from day 1 post op...and told I would be on it for a year. As for swallowing...try a cough drop...then tiny sips of Water. I have lived on sugar free Popsicles. They not only helped my throat but I think the cold helped the swelling in my throat and the incision line on my stomach. It has also helped me to place a warm compress on my abdomen. You have to keep up your fluids. They are a must! Good luck and hand in there. Everyday you will get stronger. Helen

I have had NO nausea, no vomiting, no "slimes" as you all call them. I have lost the sensation/taste for about everything. If I drink one more sweet Protein drink I am going to scream. Everything is tooo sweet. I got so hungry for something savory I ordered hot and sour Soup...strained it 2 X, thinned the broth and ate small sips of it. It was sooo good but now I cannot look at it. My friends who was sleeved 9 months ago, says things like that come back. I too, have had no complications. If you did not know it, you would not know it has occured. I am a little bit tired...but it is still winter here and it is cold. So, go figure.

I was sleeved on 2-19. My pre-sleeve weight was 219, I was 208 yesterday (last day of Feb). I am on full liquids, though I cannot tolerate much. Taking sips of Water. Am back to work, part-time. I am an RN and requested to go home on blood thinners, which I have 6 more days. I am starting exercise tomorrow...cycling 1 mile at the gym every day this week is the goal. I am back on Wednesday for my 2 week follow-up. My issues are not physical. Mine are mental. I feel very fragile emotionally....going between being very sad and very angry. I spoke to a friend who was sleeved 9 months ago. He is a psy. nurse practitioner and says that without "food to grab to numb my emotions, my emotions are coming to the surface." That this will pass in time. I am really seeing how much I misused food...I knew it, but having this done and not being able to overeat has highlighted it. On some levels I am sick and ashamed at myself because this state had eroded some very important relationships and credibility in my life. I cannot go back...I must move forward, is all I can do...but I really feel raw. If I were to write a book today the title would be "Cut to the Bone." You all sound like you doing well. Has anyone besides me had an emotional response? Helen

My march goal is the loss of 20 pounds, exercise 5/7 days, take 100% of all vitamins 7/7 days every week.

I was done, incision to glue in 52 minutes + they repaired an undetected hernia.

Body butter will not do it for me. I want muscle, plain and simple and not with compression garments. If you develop muscle you will not need all the smoke and mirrors. I have done thus surgery i owe it to myself to not take on my old FAT thinking that got me here. I am Changing and if it hangs when i am done i will get it cut off.

I am planning on starting with a mile a day on the stationary bicycle. Then when my team says i can increase activity...i am only 7 days out, i am going back to the bill phillips 5 day a week work out pkan of 3 days a week weights and 2 days cardio. I find it curious to read these posts about exercise. I had FAT habits and i am not about to go back to the old way of doing things. I am going to do some form of exercise everyday. I do not care if others can reach their goals with no exercise, i do not like how my body looks or feels with no muscle. I am 63 years old and i need the activity to stay limber.

I think the more muscle you develop the less saggy skin i will have.

I think you are not eating enough. If you do not take in sufficient calories you will put your body into a starvation metabolism. Up your calories and read about metabolism. Work your program.

I am 4 days post op. Am tolerating liquids well, getting in protein and other liquids. Am a little sore but otherwise am feeling good. Down 2 pounds. Trying not to compare myself to Others. No nausea, which i am grateful for. Not hungry, no cravings . Popsicles really have helped. Hope everyone is doing good. Heleng

I am off to the OR at 2:30 today. I am both excited and scared, even though I am a nurse. I know this is not the "be all-end all" of soultions. I will have to WORK and work hard the strict and rigid plan I they have placed me on. I am ready. I am ready to be normal weighted and not have my weight be what holds me back. Check in with you all, later in the weekend. Helen

My surgeon told me when I ask to take it "as it comes." My body will tell me....that probably I will go lower than I expected and then have a 3-5 pound rebound...then plateau. It is at the point of the plateau that I will know. I know from remembering how I looked and felt that 125-128 feels very good to me....esp. when I am working out a lot which will be what I am doing. I thought it was good advice. hg

Wow...I am 5'2" and 165 would be wayyyyyy to heavy for me. I am shooting for 128. My best weight as an adult and I defy anyone to say I cannot get there because of my age. That is bull....maybe 110 is too low...but I hope to be between 123-128 and I am 63 year old. hg

I have told a few people but not HR. Just taking off some time. It is really no one's business. I do not need to be replaced. I teach at the university level and my courses are done. Helen

You have really lost a lot of weight in a short time. Any tips? What has been your success? Helen

That is what I am thinking, too. I have lots of interests. Takes a bit more effort than reaching for a cookie. I also think it is going to be exercise when it warms up. I have a dog and he is always up for a walk. I will just take off walking when I want to eat. Thanks for your feedback. Looks like you are really progressing for almost a month. Good luck...and keep up the good work.

I have my pre-op surgical consult today with the surgeon, Dr. Dana Portiere in Durham. I really like him...very down to earth and nice manner. He ask me what I was going to replace my habit of overeating with....I have a bit of a dry wit and I though of saying I was going to become a hooker! But really, this is the second person that ask me that question this week. It really has me thinking. When I get frustrated, bored, scared, tired, etc. I reach for food. What will I replace it with? What constructive activity that is not going to cause me damage can I replace my overeating with. I meditate so my therapist (who I am keeping through this) says I should get my meditation practice, very consistent. I also journal. Maybe I will start journaling this new new journey? The surgeon said, "you know, next Thursday your days of overeating are going away. You can make bad choices in food but you will never again be able to volume eat, again." Just has me thinking. I would like to hear from more experienced people on what you will or what you have replaced your overeating with? Helen 7 days away from surgery

Not heard of it...had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks after a csection. That was 23 years ago. Look it up on MEDLINE and see what you can find. That the medical journal intranet. Good luck. Helen

I think being nervous is normal. I am about 10 days away from surgery. Having my preop visits tomorrow and Tuesday. I am nervous too and my team speaks English. Just keep remembering this is something you chose...you do not have to do it...but you choose it. Not sure that will help...but think the nerve thing is very, very normal. Good luck. Helen

Be careful. If you lose too much weight on the pre-op surgery diet before you have been approved, some insurance companies will not approve you...knowing you can "do it on your own." Just a word of caution if you are set on having the surgery. Helen

Good luck to you both. What are you planning for your clear liquids...and which vitamin brand did you choose?