BLERDgirl

Except for the biggest scar you can barely see mine. I was really good with caring for my skin. I used scarffade gel then bio oil, but I have really dry skin and moisturize daily anyway.

I actually purchased from Ashley back in 2013. She makes decent stuff and has had an online business for several years. I watch PR on Friday mornings On Demand. I'm happy to see Ashley make it but my issues with sizing in the Fashion world could are larger than these forums would allow. I've always been a fashion gal and while I'm excited to see plus sized fashion getting more exposure, PR is little more than a game show to me. I don't take them seriously.

Big steps, good for you!

Orgain Organics has stevia, they come in powder and RTD form.

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There are several vegan options such as soy isolates, hemp or pea proteins. It's still going to be trial and error as to which ones you like, but there are plenty of alternative out there.

Tenttive scheduling means pending insurance approval. If you have an urgent reason for having surgery before the end of the year whether due to having met the deductible or losing/changing insurance then you should make them aware of this urgency. Many doctor's offices will work with you as long as they know.

Most insurance companies work with Qwest diagnostics. You shouldn't have to pay anything up front. I had my chest xray done at the hospital my insurance is capacitated to for things like xrays and scans and I had my bloodwork done at the hospital I was having surgery at.

Hang in there. It gets easier and eventually you'll be able to take normal swallows.

I've had brown rice a few times and black rice once. I had brown rice maybe 6 mths post op and a few times since but never much more than 2 tbsps. Other than the glutenous white rice in sushi white rice never held much lure for me. I'm also vigilant enough about avoiding empty carbs that I have shied away from processed carbs like white rice.

Thanks for sharing. It's encouraging to hear people make it through such obstacles.

How do they taste?

I think a compromise might be in order. I assume you are trying to drink the RTD shakes. You can't finish the entire thing in 30 minutes. Why not split it in half and have the half sized portion 4 times a day and a Protein bar as a snack? From what information I can find the Think Thin bars may not be nutritionally complete enough to maintain you on their own.

I've had all kinds of celebrations: No longer needing the seatbelt extension Buying smaller clothes The day my old sweats fell completely off my body. (before I left the house). I have tried to Celebrate and observe them in non-food ways. I've always been a girly gal. I love fashion and makeup. Sometimes my treats are a new lipstick, sometimes a mani/pedi, the massage was wonderful. They can be discrete and you can keep your underwear on, but it does require being comfortable with another person touching your body. I think it's important to acknowledge the mile stones.

I struggle with wanting to buy clothes. I was a clothes horse pre-op and now that I can fit into more things I really want to shop, but I'm still losing and know it would be a waste of money. I had a groupon over the summer and had a massage. It was divine! As long as your incisions are healed and your tummy is not tender to touch, go for it!

Only you can decide for sure. There are too many variables; what the pressure of the job will be and how quickly you rebound from surgery being the most prominent.

I was reading about the dumping that may happen and some people pass out And ive only threw up once. Okay, so if you worry about every little thing that could possibly happen, no matter how remote the chance, you are going to drive yourself crazy! Dumping is mainly an issue for bypass patients, and even then, only about 1/3 of them dump. It's really really uncommon for sleeve patients. Since I was a little kid, I've tended to have a weak stomach, get carsick, etc. I also have a ridiculously sensitive vagus nerve, and I tend to pass out for silly reasons. That being said, I have not had any problems because of surgery. I've only thrown up twice. Once was the day I came home from the hospital and tried to take my whole antidepressant for the first time in a coupe days on an empty stomach, which was just dumb of me. And the other time was just a weird combination of factors and was a fluke. Both times I was at home, no big deal. I'm close to 5 months out from surgery, and I've traveled and have gone to plenty of restaurants. In the beginning, when I was introducing new foods, I'd try them at home first to make sure I could tolerate them. But at this point, I really don't worry about it. I just try to make good choices (i.e., not ordering deep-fried crap or chowing down on the bread basket). I've had food from Asian restaurants, Mexican, Indian, German, Italian, bar-and-grill type places, etc. I've spent a weekend camping out in the woods at a Revolutionary War reenactment and eating 18th-century-style food cooked over an open fire. My sleeve has not limited me from doing all sorts of activities--in fact, it has made it possible for me to experience and enjoy life much more than I had been, because now I can physically do a lot more and am not tired and in pain all the time! @@anna9/15, you have got to get some help... you got the surgery because you wanted a new lease on life, right? Don't let yourself spiral into this black hole of anxiety and depression! I say that as someone who also struggles against my own mental demons. Find a good therapist, and get on some meds (at least temporarily). When you're in the thick of a depressive episode, you lose sight of the fact that life does not have to be like this, that you don't have to be miserable, you don't have to be afraid all the time. But we are all here trying to tell you that it can be better--believe us! The medicine is what im trying to do without because i come from a very addictive background and im scared of being hooked on something i can't get off of.since u cant just stop ur medicine cold turkey But you can be weaned off of it. Isn't it exhausting being scared of things that have never happened to you? Why choose to be victim to your fears?

You do not need a blender or a nutra bullet. It just makes things easier. If you will not use it after the all liquid phase, save your money and invest in a few good blender bottles instead. I had my nutra bullet years before WLS. It's the original version and has served me well.

@@CowgirlJane - I never had a clear liquid phase. I had all liquids>purees>soft foods>all foods. Some doctors also don't disallow coffee. Mine did, but many, esp. those in the Europe don't. I do agree clarification is needed though.

Yes on mobile it has you listed as a lap band patient. Try emailing @AlexBrecher perhaps he can assist.

What amazes me is that we don't get more education on how our bodies work. We get one body to do us our whole lives (though the option exists to exchange a few parts if they wear out). We have instructions and warning labels on everything, but we aren't taught how to take care of the most valuable machine we own. I think basic anatomy and physiology out to be required - folks would be less susceptible to internet legends if they were. I worked in social services for may years. Many people do not know how to talk to doctors and medical personnel. Instead of asking questions and actually having a conversation, they just nod and either ask a friend/neighbor/non-medical person or ignore the advice altogether.

Do not take her issues on as your responsibility. That's not your job. At this point decide how important the relationship is. If she wants to get together, perhaps suggest to a movie. You bring your own Snacks and say nothing regarding what she eats/drinks. Go out for coffee, bring your own water/protein drink. I became a champ at stashing stuff in my purse. If that's not a workable solution then perhaps a break is in order.

Sleevers don't dump. The only people I have read of passing out are those not eating or drinking.

@ - Not gonna lie, I pissed like a racehorse in the hospital because of that darn IV. I walked in recovery because I woke up having to pee. I guess it was a blessing in disguise because I didn't have the post-op weigh gain as a result.