SeahawksFan

It's amazing how expensive it is to literally replace your entire wardrobe so I've been putting the rings off.

Problem solved. 4 months after surgery I returned my lovely CPAP machine. I am 45 years old. ~LA

I didn't tell my kids. They are 12 and 16 boys. I had to have a hernia repair while I was in as well so that's what I told everyone. Maybe someday I will tell them but it's been almost a year and it's not a big deal. ~LA

Just cut out the carbs, sugar and Starbucks. I think 3 shakes a day is not good for you and yes frequent bathroom trips would probably be the result of all those shakes. I also don't stay very full from shakes. The whole liquid thing just processes so quickly. And yes get back to the gym or at least working out of some sort. Good luck and congrats on the 105!!

Would love to hear your feedback after you've tried this. I have been using GENEPRO every morning in my coffee. I couldn't stand unjury so I would hate to buy a can of this and throw it away. Thanks- LA

I think your fine. It will definitely be slower the closer you get to goal. ~LA

I had IBS for 11 years and I was sleeved almost a year ago and have not had one single episode. I tell my husband this surgery was worth every dime just for that let alone the weight loss. (I was self pay) ~LA

Puget Sound Surgical Center in WA state does. My surgeon was Dr. Billings and I highly recommend him. Great place and I was self pay as well. I used my health saving plan so tax free money. They require a BMI of 30 or higher. ~LA

I am almost a year out and was pretty much the same BMI. I didn't have any huge health concerns yet only sleep apnea. But I was very frustrated after years of dieting and exercising and still being over weight. I don't regret it at all. In fact it's completely fixed my IBS problems so that alone was worth the surgery and money since I had to pay. I don't have any advice on the pregnancy aspects as I am 45 and already had kids but I will say it was another thing weighing on me. Do I really need to do this and risk my life when I have 2 kids and a husband? I think second guessing is always something we do as humans. And I think even the first month you will have a moment where you think to yourself "What the hell did I do?" I had that moment but didn't take long to get over it. I love my new lifestyle. Good luck- LA

The first few months I was not allowed to chew gum but my NUT is fine with it now so I occasionally chew the sugar free trident. I like bubble gum and cinnamon. Never been a mint fan. Tastes like medicine to me. ~LA

Great thread. Here's my answers: What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Sleeve 1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? 7 months 2. What's your current height and weight? 5"2 120 lbs 3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? I don't count or measure my food but I would guess around 1500 on a normal day 4. What kind of focus do you put on protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? I always have protein first and at least 60 grams but I don't measure it. I still have shakes and bars but only the one's I like. You still need to plan ahead and have protein snacks handy. 5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? I eat whatever is not processed in any amount. ie fruits and veggies I don't worry about. I do eat oatmeal almost everyday but I put in a scoop of unflavored protein. I find having the oatmeal keeps me regular. I don't do refined carbs unless it's a treat. I think someone else put on here they'd rather have a cookie than white bread. That's exactly how I am. Not wasting the carbs on rice or pasta. 6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? I try to stick to the basics. I take my vitamins, get enough sleep, workout, drink water, eat my protein first. 7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Bread, rice, pasta, fast food, pop, alcohol 8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? I workout everyday. It makes me feel so much better to start my day. I run 2x, spin 2x, weights 2x and do yoga once. I just did my first half marathon. I had the same workout program before surgery. I do it to be healthy not thinner. 9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? Not much. I go to my sessions as part of my surgeons plan. I do love these boards that give me lots of advice and tips. It has helped me be successful. 10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? I don't weigh myself everyday but every few days to make sure I am not gaining. I stay within a 2 lb. range Be mindful of your weaknesses. Mine is sweets. I don't deprive myself but I also make sure to limit what I have or what's in the house. If it's going to be hard for me to resist it then I try to get rid of it. For example: I am fine with the chips ahoy cookies being in the pantry but if I make fresh baked cookies I usually put as many of them as I can in my kids lunches to get rid of them before I eat them all I think one thing that has really helped me is to truly think of this as a life style change vs a diet. I have to because 80% f my stomach is gone. In order for my body to run smoothly I need to eat this way. Remember none of us are perfect and none of us are the same so you need to find what works for you and stick with it. ~LA

I think you should ask them for a discount. I had to pay for mine and it was worth every penny but I knew that going into it. Sorry that sucks and not fair. ~LA

I have one but it says Children's or Seniors menu items. I have only used it once while I was on vacation because most of the time I just bring left overs home. ~LA

For the first month I did only walking. 6 weeks I started doing the treadmill with an incline. It wasn't until 8 weeks that I started to do weights and start doing core work. Start slowly as your really not getting a lot of calories so even burning 200-250 is probably half your daily intake. Good luck- LA

The first few weeks I kept having this scary dream that I forgot I had the surgery and ate potato chips. Weird because I really hardly ever eat potato chips. I don't have weird dreams any more about food. ~LA

I stayed the night because I had sleep apnea as well. It cost an extra $750. You sleep in an upright comfy chair and they wake you up every so often to walk around. ~LA

I had Dr. Billings and he was absolutely wonderful. Not only a great surgeon but a truly inspiring person. I paid out of pocket as well and those are the same costs I had. My insurance paid for the nutritionist & psych. I used my health savings account to pay the rest. That way it was tax free money. I had my surgery Oct. 30. Everyone at PSBC has been wonderful. The preop diet wasn't that bad compared to others that I've read on here. Let me know if you have specific questions. I know you can go to Mexico for less but I needed the peace of mind of having it done someplace that I trusted. ~LA

I just did my first half yesterday. I had some oatmeal and 6 almonds before the race. During the race they will have Water stations and other types of electrolyte drinks for you. Then at the end of the race they had some oranges, banana's and bagels, kind bars, coconut water. When I was training I used one of the belts and would put Powerade zero in the two containers. I also use the Clif shot blocks when I run 10 or more miles. I have never done a full so I don't have any tips on that one. Good luck- LA

Run 2 x a week (4 miles and then 10 miles) , Spin class 60 min 2 x a week it also has an arms weight section as part of the class that I do Strength training (p90x3, Insanity Max, T25 dvds) 2x a week Yoga once a week.

I had 2 C-sections as well. They were worse. But I also would say it wasn't a walk in the park recovery for the sleeve. I was really weak and tired. I wish I would have taken more time off of work. I only took one week and should have done two. Good luck- LA

I wouldn't worry about the year mark. You are doing great. Think of all the changes you've made in 10 months. Maybe change up your workout routine and workout 6 days a week but make it a new activity or hobby? I just tried two new things...paddle boarding and Barre. I found coupons on living social and groupon. I also joined Let's Meet so I could find some people to go hiking with. It's free and fun not like a workout that your dreading. Good job cutting down on the carbs. You Got This!!! ~LA

It does depend how the hospital or doctor codes it. I was self pay and I had to go to the ER 8 days later because I was dehydrated. I didn't have to pay for it. ~LA

I think right about 6-8 weeks was when my nutritionist said I could start using a straw again. I drink my Water in a cup with ice and a straw and drink way more that way. I would send your doc or nut an email and ask them if this is just a short term rule and if so when I like to follow rules as well. ~LA

I have two that I don't think have been mentioned yet. When others try to pressure me into drinking alcohol. I am 9 months post op and could have a drink if I wanted to but honestly I don't really enjoy the taste of wine or beer and I am cheap. Which brings me to the next pet peeve of how much food I throw away because I can't eat it fast enough. This could range between veggies and fruit I didn't eat quick enough to left overs because left overs are usually at least 2/3 more meals. Just a few pet peeves Love the thread. ~LA