pumpkin07

Wow, does this meet your plan? I couldn't eat steak so soon. I just wondered. I was like liquids, mushies, etc. It seemed to take forever. Be careful.

Thanks everybody. haha This all makes me laugh. I was kinda kiddin. I was laughing at my binge bc it was so 'cute' (compared to the olden days which were NOT pretty). Nothing like a good 'ol burger. . But heck I've been at a stall for 2 months and guess what...that darn whataburger somehow BROKE MY STALL and I lost 2.5 lbs... AND an employee. A few things are amazing...french fries taste like oily greasy grease now for the most part. No matter how fresh they just taste like old grease...which lets face it. Lettuce and tomato are amazing now on a burger...and the smell as you bite into a burger...but no more raw onion, pickle, jalapeno for me. Even cheese is just kind of blah ruinning the sandwich. Unless it would be real cheese I still like that.

I measured a bowl of oatmeal once and ate to capacity to see where I was at and I think it was about 5 oz. You could try that to see where you are, but you would have to eat fairly quickly before it ran out the tummy. At about 10 mos or so I began to feel I could eat much more at times, but it really varies. I'm happy with being able to eat a lil more because it is so ridiculous to eat just a couple spoons and feel full. Long-term I would have health issues with that I think. You need enough food in your tummy to hold you full for a while and I'm thankful for the times I can get a whole meal. Usually I eat and 2 hours later I'm hunting something...isn't that just awful? But its true. If I can eat more at a meal that holds me longer, which happens sometimes, I am so happy to go hours without eating. Just doesn't happen every day. So even if it relaxed a little, I think that is okay. You should expect that. I have 5 oz chicken breasts that shrink to probably 4 oz or less when cooked. I'm SURE I could eat one and a few bites of veggies. But some chicken breasts are huge, so I don't know what you are looking at. You can buy bags from costco or Sams (it varies) that are restaurant boneless chicken breasts preportioned to 5 oz. That might help. But really what is important is how many slices of pizza can you eat at a sitting. On thin crust usually I can only eat 1 slice (of course, at one sitting). That is a fairly reasonable size piece. So if it is chicken, fish, veggies - whatever I hope I can eat a lot. Do you find you avoid breads? I kind of do now, really don't eat many sandwiches and so forth. I think that helps.

Yes I totally believe I'm at a very long stall. I did just wake up and had lost 2.5 lbs out of the blue so I'm back down to 146 again. Yesterday I noticed my pants dragging the ground and I just felt smaller. And when I weighed this morning I guess it made sense, I think I hadn't weighed in a few days, which is unusual. But I didn't do a lot different to lose the 2.5 lbs which I think means it is a stall.. Praying for more tomorrow!! The reason I think I'm at a stall is also bc I just don't eat that many calories and I do focus on protein. But I do cheat, I'll readily admit that. But impossible to overeat with the sleeve for the most part, unless I have the time to graze all day but that is rare. I just feel like I know my body and it is just fighting the last pounds. My body realllllly worries about famine!!!!. If there was one I'd be the last person alive I'm certain of it. haha Lovin it now though...woo hooo maybe my stall broke.

Today I had to sit in on an employee termination...an employee that had been a personal friend of mine. And our sons are friends. Ultimately she wanted me to save her, and I couldn't cast that vote. It was not easy. So I binged...The binge was a whataburger JR with no cheese. And french fries, probably 10. I couldn't finish the bread of course. I washed it down with sips of ...yes....should I say it...iced tea. A long time ago what would that binge have been? I am so full I'm hiccuping.

C - Oh. I need a weekend. This is hard to do...if it is too much for you I understand. I'm realizing it could be a lot of work for you.

Okay, now I AM JEALOUS. I'm 5'1" and I stopped at 148. I've weight 146 and 147 a few times. My body just settled in. I was so scared I wouldn't be able to stop losing and here I can't even get to goal. I think it is cool though, and I'd love to weigh below goal. As long as it is not too far, bc then you have a cushion.

Best wishes to you!! Your decision should be your own. No one could have ever talked me into a surgery I did not want myself. BC it is a risk. You got one life here, and you get to decide. Take care.

YEAH we just saved you from the bypass. I just talked with an 80 year old woman who basically has had a sleeve for 30 years. She had bleeding ulcers and it kept being a problem so the doctor cut out a lot of her stomach for that reason. She has lived a long and healthy life - I've known her for years, I just never knew that she had stomach surgery. She and I ate the same lunch, and she could eat more than me and drink more than me. Probably double. But still, basically same surgery. She remembers being on liquids and having trouble getting much food down. This surgery has been done a long time for other reasons. I know someone else that had it to cut out cancer, and she is thin and healthy 15 years later. She never had a weight problem since I've known her. For her age she is just perfect.

Okay, if it is men and women my husband will want to come too. That doubles our expense, but oh well we'll save for it. But I don't think we will bring our kids, at least not our little guy. Our older son, he will be 13 then and he loves most of these type activities so we'll decide about him after everyone else has said what they are doing. But a weekend away from kids sounds better especially since we'll be returning to the area the next month. Our interest is LOBSTER, fishing (he loves deep sea fishing if anyone else wants this), snorkeling, Key West, and sailing w/a captain (we don't know how to sail). We love the ocean. Oh can we PLEASE leave now?

For some reason whenever I tried to eat chicken on the bone, after the sleeve, I would take these huge bites and not chew. I guess it is an old habit. I find it is better, much better to debone the chicken after I cook it or before - but before eating. I can eat it on the bone now, but I could not for a long time bc I would take a huge piece and would feel it was stuck in my throat. I think a chicken leg is something i used to sort of inhale. Who woulda known? You are just learning what works for you. You might find later part of it was that you ate in a hurry on a nervy stomach. That is hard to do now, I Hate to be in a panic when eating. Very important for me to be relaxed and my sleeve to be relaxed.

I keep following this because I'm hoping you are okay. I think since you found out early you were okay, right? I'm assuming you were able to dissolve....please respond so we know what happened. Scarier than scary, right?

Not intentionally scaring you, but have you discussed this travel with your doctor? Because I believe the altitude changes make it harder. I knew a man that did not do well here and I know in the first weeks he went to Mexico for surgery and then to Australia. He definitely did not do well, I don't know if the travel had much to do with it. Also, when he got sick in Australia I believe he had a second surgery, which was botched. Sometimes I think people do not realize how major this surgery is. You need to take care of you, very good care of you. Our sleeves can only go through so much without popping a leak.

GOD BLESS YOU...where do you live? I pray for you and your doctor's good guidance. And your husband and babies.

Or I can REACH my ass...hahaha Congrats on the belt. I wear a belt almost daily now. Thinking it may be time for one of those phone holsters. I would never wear one before because I didn't wear belts. Of course I'm a girl so I don't always have pants that have loops, but I wear a lot of jeans and courderoys.

You'll do great!!! This site and the people here are so good to help all along the way.

YEAH COOPS! But once again, 50 more lbs? Nah. You don't need to lose that much, do you? You look almost there. I changd my goal a little, probably bc I don't have as much muscle I am smaller than I thought at this weight and just want to go down a lil more. I think you are past 50% of what you needed to lose. You look almost there, unless you are hiding some bootie or somethin.

I was on my liquid DIET for surgery scheduled Feb 9 2010. YUCK, that was hard.

First of all, you do not have to finish your plate. Everyone has swelling after surgery and we can all eat different amounts. Some days you will also be able to eat more than others, although who knows why!! Also, eggs are not always easy with the sleeve especially in the first 6 months. Some people do great, but I had terrible issues with eggs especially scrambled eggs. Egg salad seems to work good too for some people which is with boiled eggs. I never thought of egg salad, but that kinda crumbles which is better than eating a pasty salad and it has a lot of Protein. When you cook the white and yellow parts as one, why is it digested differently? I don't know but it is. I digest them better if I don't scramble them before cooking. Also, I could not eat food that was very dense after surgery, almost killed myself on hummus on day. Similar experience with dense tuna salad once - could not eat tuna for a while (some people can, I could not) Kinda same thing with Peanut Butter, yuck for me. Things that I can chew that flake apart easily or come apart or sort of dissolve before swallowing work better than things that are still so thick even after chewing because then once you swallow you may find with the swelling it doesn't travel downward real well. Your own sleeve is unique and has its own pecurliarities so you really can't go exactly by a book. Once you find a routine and you stick with it that might work. THe best advice I heard is if you are having a hard time at the stage you are at, back up a step so if you are on solids go back to mushies for a while. This worked for me when I was in trouble. My sleeve was very forgiving. I made several mistakes especially choking on that hummus, for a moment I thought I might just die b/c I took a big bite and must have swallowed it all at once bc I was starvig at the time. Felt like I might not be able to breathe, extremely weird. But I lived and did not leak. Second thing I remember being real scared of was eating chinese food, chicken and veggies. I went and threw it up. I hadn't had nausea since the hospital so that scared me. I don't know how far out I was, but it must have been pretty far. I had a very hard time giving up the foods I was used to eating. I would push it hear and there bc I would feel so desperate. liquids were fine, but starting with mushies I think I just did not know what to do or how to do that stage very well. Now I wonder why didn't I just puree the foods I was cooking for my family or something? But I remember wanting to eat mashed potatoes with meatloaf, but realizing that not mch protein was in there. But of course I should have just used a little mashed potato and mostly meat ball and pureed it together. It was hard to figure out at the time, bc I was just in a state. We ALL have our issues with food, right? Anyway, my sleeve was pretty forgiving, and I pray yours is also. Some people throw up for weeks and survive, so it sounds to me like you'll be fine. Just back it up to the previous stage for a few days, like 2-3 days and then proceed. Believe it or not, you are through the hardest part already!!!

I went to TLC Survery in Houston, TX, Dr. Terry Scarborough. The before and after care was not good, although they are a center of excellence. The surgery was good. In the nutrition meeting (1 hour) they mixed in the sleeve people with the lap band and gastric bypass. I was the only sleever so it was confusing to me. The counseling session was just not much. It wasn't bad, just intended to make sure I was mentally stable. But it did little to prepare me for what I was about to endure. It was only 1 visit bc I was self pay. I didn't know better, and wasn't mentally prepared for the surgery, not really understanding just how major this decision was. Dr. Scarborough totally explained it, but I missed the part about 85% of your stomach being removed. If I heard that percentage, I probably would have been a bit more careful. Maybe I was a bit naive. Dr. Scarborough did have me do a 2 week all liquid diet, so I guess I was prepared physically more than mentally. While in the hospital, Dr. Scarborough took great care of me. It was a successful surgery. After care, once again, nil. I believe he is a good surgeon, and friendly but not very forthcoming with information perhaps bc he is not a talker. When I went back 3 weeks after surgery for a follow-up no one knew who I was or that I'd had surgery except him. And he couldn't remember what surgery I had. I got pissed about that, and told him I thought he needed to work out some of these issues. He thought I had gastric bypass in that visit a week after surgery, bc he didn't have his operating notes yet. That is what he said. I felt so scared, like did he DO the right surgery on me, is he competent, etc.? But later I realized it is just like running any business if you don't have all your ducks in a row. But let me tell you at that point I was in panic mode. TLC contracts out all their nutrition and counseling so you don't really get a sense that you are getting a complete package, more of fulfilling a requirement for surgery. If you need help you have to ask or demand it, because no one knows who you are. They don't get to know you in that way, which is sad. The nutritionist in my meeting had never had surgery or anything, you don't get that sense of being mentored from the office staff, although they are nice. No one from his office really follows up with you once out of hospital. I only went to his office 3 or 4 times, but I met people in his waiting room that were very concerned on my visits after surgery. If I saw them before surgery I would have cancelled. One had a leak that had healed but still couldn't get her Protein in. She was feeling very sick and was very surprised to see me bouncing around at 3 weeks. She was pretty old, but she looked quite worried about her health and unhealthy. She was absolutely desperate for information and support. At that moment she was in total regret. I wanted to tell her about this site, but when I thought about it she was already called back in the back. But Dr. Scarborough had stuck with her through it all, so that was good. Apparently it had been an ordeal that lasted quite a while. There was another lady wheeled into the waiting room in a wheel chair bc she was too weak to walk. She looked about to conk out from dehydration in the waiting room and she probably went back to hospital. Maybe that is normal, but to me it was scarey. I actually had an appt that day this second lady was in the waiting room and I had waited a very long time. He was evidently stuck in surgery or so, when I saw the lady I left so she could be seen first upon his return. I was so worried about her and hope she did okay. I just never went back. Since then I learned of Robert and Garth Davis. In Houston, TX they have a more complete package to offer. I tend to recommend them rather than TLC Surgery. My surgeon did perform his job well and I am so thankful for that. BUT I would rather have the active support groups and on-staff before/after care staffers. It is a bigger practice. I guess it depends what you are looking for. I'm a very sensitive person and need to feel very comfortable. I liked Dr. Scarborough, but just think they don't actually have it as together as they should. I think he would do better working for a bigger clinic bc he is evidently a good surgeon. He doesn't have the interpersonal skills to truly manage an office, I think he is more of a talented surgeon than a surgeon that should be bothered with all the patient details. Nice man though.

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap surgeon that is incompetent, that is for sure. Sounds like you are doing your research, but I am scared for you shopping price. I had my surgery in the states, but everyone says Dr. Aceves is good - can you go there? I am hesitant to blast the doctors I have heard are bad on a public forum, but you could private message people that have obviously been around a while and they might could help. Maybe you'll even get some messages with affordable options. I'm sorry about your husband. If you have some time it might be worth some counseling sessions. My husband and I have never encountered anything he has been that adament about, but honestly if he did I would totally want to hear him out. Because sometimes he is wiser than wise - sometimes he might be looking out for me in ways I need to be looked out for. Or he could be insecure. Or he could be worried about the money. Or he could be misunderstanding the surgery. In any case, I wouldn't immediately do it if he was against it so strongly. I would find a way to encourage him to have dialogue and force him to get educated on the procedure. Sometimes that means letting him vent anger or whatever and then digging in to the root of what is wrong. My husband can have a crusty exterior, but is soft on the inside. Going against his wishes is wow, bad for a marriage. I guess if it is a horrible marriage and not worth saving then who cares, but in my case my husband is the father of my children, he is their daddy, he is my husband and lover, and we were all raised that the man is the head of our home. We don't ever think about that until there is a dispute, but in the case of a disagreement ultimately I defer to him. I cannot think of a time I ever totally ignored his wishes. Usually we just keep working on things until we reach agreement. A lot of times he is right, sometimes I am, but it doesn't matter. THe process of working it through together can lead to a great decision in my experience. A culmination of views and ideas. If you have children, it is so good for them to see you respect their dad in this way. Respect is a two way street though, of course. With the surgery he trusted me to pick a good doctor and to trust the doctor to pick the right surgery. It was obvious to both of us I would never lose weight without surgery. He was still scared of the risk and scared of me getting toooooo hot and losing me, and sometimes he acted those things out. But he worked through it and doesn't mention feeling insecure. He knows deep down I love him and respect him and wouldn't leave him for someone else just because I'm now hot. lol But every relationship is different. I pray you can work all this out and that the timing all comes together on all sides. Hang in there. Being married can be tough, but I don't want it to be too hard for you. I used to be with a man that did not treat me the best, and it helped me to surround myself with men that cherished their wife and children. It is kinda corny, but when you hear men like Dr. Phil and Dave Ramsey talk about their wives, wow, it makes you realize there is some good men out there. It is good for a man to be surrounded by other men like that too. My husband is a work in progress, but even at our church there are elders that are just such a good example for him of how to be a good dad/good husband. I love that, bc my husband grew up without a dad around and struggles with realizing how important he is to our sons' development. If I just discounted all he said/felt he would certainly never grow in this area. I don't mean to sound corny. I am well educated, and I am not OVERLY religious. But I have found a lot of value in traditional family life. I own two businesses by myself, so it isn't like I'm old fashioned and dependent. I'm NOT.

I think I have one on my back, along my spine. I actually need to show it to doc. It did shrink a bit, but it is right on the bra line and kind of irritates the skin around it. Feels itchy there. I don't know why I keep ignoring it, I hope it is just fat. My husband says I've had it for years. But now you can see it a lil more bc less fat around it. best wishes.

Wow that is so cool. And nice to hear she didn't regain. So she kind of lost too much at first, upped her calories and ended up at a 4. Who could argue with a 4? Not too small, not too big.

My oldest son has all my horrible eating habits, bc I taught him those (so sorry kiddo). But he finally went to a school with ATHLETICS (not just PE) and his body is slowly being reshaped. He always had healthy food at school, his obesity was caused by inactivity and bad eating at home. At least I'm honest, right? Now with the sleeve my younger son who is 3 is eating better than my older one did, bc I have more self control Plus, his older brother usually gets to all the junk food first so the little guy hardly gets any. My point is, even though I'm not a political fan, Michelle Obama is on the right track. The INACTIVITY EVERYWHERE is causing the problem. We live in Houston, not safe, limits the amount of activity a child gets. Plus TV, video games, it is hard to control with technology, couches, and sugar drinks..... GO MICHELLE _ get these kids moving.

That was so rude. I am so sorry this happened to you. It could have happened to any of us. I'm terrible at comebacks too. I would have been so stunned I probably would have laughed with him and then gotten really pissed. Life has a way of working these things out. KARMA