Newman19

I don't have great advice about recipes, meal plans etc. because I kind of just go with the flow. I had my surgery on April 15, 2015 so I am exactly 15 weeks out today and am down 46 pounds. My urge to snack and graze has just come back within the last couple of weeks so I understand what you are fighting. It was easy at first because I didn't feel like eating but now I certainly have that part back. What has helped me so much is that I track everything I eat throughout the day on myfitnesspal.com. It allows me to track my Protein intake and I also watch the carbs and try to keep them below 40g. My problem time is after work and before I go to bed. Since I track my calories religiously, I know when I head home from work exactly where I am at and what I have left to work with for the rest of the evening. I hope that helps. Just know that so many of us know exactly where you are right now and how you feel. You can do it and you should be very, very proud of how far you have come. You have accomplished a lot.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I love when people post progress pictures. It has helped so much to motivate me as I travel along this road. When I see people who have been successful (no matter what they are wearing), I am genuinely thrilled for them. I have way too many things I need to focus my attention on in my own life to spend a second focusing on others and what they should and should not be wearing. I never have nor will I ever wear revealing clothes because that's just not who I am. But I secretly envy the people who give zero craps about what anyone else thinks and are bold enough to be daring and wear what they want. Wow, first negative, and truly judgmental post I have seen on this otherwise very positive and inspiring website. Keep posting those pictures and I will keep telling you that "You look amazing" because you do.

I had surgery on 4/15 and lost 10 the first week, 5 the second, 2 the third and ZERO last week. I know that a lot of people stall around this point so I am not letting it get to me. Or at least trying not to! I only weigh in once/week and am hoping the scale moves even one pound next week. I know I am doing everything right and I'm sure you are too so we just have to be patient. It's hard because I would like to see ridiculously huge numbers every week.

Wow.

I am going to go ahead and back out of this thread now.

I was just sleeved on April 15th and 4 days later, I started a period. I have Mirena IUD and haven't had a period in four years. I'm glad you posted this because the feedback has helped me too. My Dr. Said not to worry.

I am using the Vitamelts and just put in for another order. There is absolutely no chewing they melt in your mouth and the flavors are great too. They have other suppliments too besides the Multivitamin. I get mine online from Swanson online. Hope this info helps. I also got Calcium Gummy bears today.

I am six days post op today. Taking a couple of walks a day and am getting about 90 ounces of Fluid in per day. My stomach did not like the chewable Vitamin so I am going to ask my Dr. at my appointment tomorrow for another vitamin suggestion.

I will pray for you. I am the day after you so you can return the favor to me!

Okay, take a deep breath and calm down
Bariatric surgery will REDUCE your risk of death by 89%. And that includes the tiny risk of death associated with any surgery.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1356432/
What if i die on the operation table?
We all have to die somehow, and my take on that possibility was (1) it's a tiny risk, less than a half of one percent; and (2) since we have to die, dying on an operation table is probably the best way to go. It's painless, you don't know it's happening, and there are people there to take care of your body and inform your family. Better that than having a massive stroke (huge risk for obese people btw) at home alone, being unable to summon help, dying slowly and painfully and then having your body be eaten by your pets.
Wont the staples in my stomach cause cancer on a later stage?
I'm not aware of any science showing that staples cause cancer. You know what probably does cause cancer though? Obesity!
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/causes-prevention/risk/weight-activity/obesity-fact-sheet
http://www.asco.org/practice-research/obesity-and-cancer
Will the staples not cause discomfort?
No, you can't feel the staples. You will probably have some discomfort immediately after surgery, caused by the incisions and the gas they use to inflate your abdomen for surgical access, but you will get good pain meds to take care of it and it will go away quickly.
Will the fact that i had the procedure not cut my life expectancy short?
No, bariatric surgery is associated with a lower death rate than is found in morbidly obese people who choose not to have surgery:
http://bariatric.stopobesityforlife.com/does-bariatric-surgery-increase-life-expectancy-in-obese-patients/
You know what will significantly decrease your life expectancy? Yes, you guessed it, remaining morbidly obese will!
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/12/01/weight.shortens.lifespan.health/
"According to recent NIH statistics obese individuals have a 50 to 100% increased risk of death from all causes compared to normal weight individuals."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1473136/
All that emotional energy you are spending being afraid of surgery? Spend it on being afraid of obesity instead. That's what should scare you and make you willing to step outside your comfort zone to fight it with the most effective weapon possible, which for the vast majority of people is bariatric surgery.

Aaaaannnnd I am going to jump in. (I am sure I am going to regret this.)
I am a total grammar queen. Nothing makes me crazier than the wrong your/you're, to/two/too, etc. except maybe text talk. Loose/lose, sale/sell. their/they're/there...GAHHHHHH!!! I don't even allow my kids to use bad grammar/text talk when texting.
That said, when it comes to public forums, I have to put my biases away. I have to realize that I am very fortunate to have had a good education, teachers who forced me to use good grammar and the knowledge to know the difference. Some people are completely ignorant of their errors. It makes me crazy and I do judge them in my head, but I would never do so out loud. To me, that's just mean. I may criticize your thought process and I may criticize your tone and manner of speaking, but I have no right to judge your lack of ability to communicate to my standards.
This is not a college class, this is not a business forum, this is not a a job interview. I care much more about how one treats another being more than I care about the words they use when doing so.
Now if you want to rant about that cursive font, I'm all over that.

Thanks for your support @Chrystee. It truly was and is confusing. Just trying to find my way in this brand new world. Appreciate your kindness .

Great job! And I love the tshirt.

Yay! That is my date too!

Yesterday, I took the first step on changing my life to what I would call “A Healthier Me”.
After several months of research online, reading publications, reviewing studies and listening to the audio book “The Big Book on the Gastric Sleeve” countless visits on the BariatricPal.com forum along with several visits to different bariatric seminars – I found myself closing in on my decision. What I found very helpful was the videos on You Tube by Lauren Vento – that was the turning point for me - it help me realize that “yes” having the gastric sleeve surgery is for me and although surgery sounds very scary, I can choose to think about this in a positive way. .
Took the first big step - I did it!
I had my first visit with the Surgeon today Dr. Neil Floch, and I have to admit I was pretty excited and after researching my insurance company guidelines I knew exactly what to expect. I think I was the last patient, so I felt a little rushed by the nurse, but once the doctor came in, he was really relaxed and very prepared for the list of questions I had for him, which I got from the Big Book. He ask me if I knew what procedure I wanted and why. I told him I wanted the Gastric Sleeve because it was not as evasive as the Gastric Bypass and the Duodenal Switch, and it did not have the long-term complications that can come from malabsorption and the Vitamin deficiencies. As we continued on with the conversation he ask me many questions concerning my health, my history and what led me to where I am today. I mentioned my life long journey struggles with yoyo dieting and losing the battle and failing somewhere along the way and gaining back twice as much. At 5’6”, 250 lbs, and a BMI of 40 with sleep apnea, I can only say it is time for change. I really enjoyed talking to my surgeon, he is really great and I knew when we were half way through our talk that he was the one.
This is my first post of many to come.
I am so glad I found all of you.
j

Wow! Stunning.