twinhappy

I was definitely turned off by food for the longest time so that in itself made it hard to eat. However, it wasn't difficult to swallow though. You might want to check in with your doctor. Maybe you are having issues with acid reflux?

Smooth move tea will get you all cleaned out :-)

Here is the best thing about the sleeve - it takes away your hunger and cravings (for a while at least). I know it is hard to imagine but it is true. You won't want carbs - you won't want food. I had to make myself eat for the longest time. I am now about 18 months out and my cravings have come back some. Nowhere near what they used to be and I also can control myself and I know I can't overeat because it could stretch my stomach back out. I do eat what I want now that I am at 160lbs. That means sometimes I will have one scoop of ice cream or sometimes I might eat one small slice of pizza. The key here is I don't do it all the time and when I do I have very small portions. I also workout a few times a week. I have ate this way for about 6 months now and have successfully kept my weight around 160 give or take a couple pounds. I had similar concerns as you. I am 100% glad I did this and I feel awesome! I look awesome! I wish I would have done this sooner. If you follow all your doctors guidelines for what to eat at each stage you will do just fine. Congrats on your surgery date. A new you is right around the corner!!!

My favorite is the strawberry Gladiator protein powder from Smoothie King. Very low carbs and high protein count. It is best when blended with fresh fruit, ice and water. You can buy the powder at any Smoothie King.

You can't have "treat days" at this stage. I am 15 months out and I don't cheat very often. Certainly didn't cheat/treat before the 6 month mark. Definitely talk to your surgeon and be prepared to not like his/her answer. Sorry to be so blunt! Good luck and enjoy NYC. I hope to visit it someday too :-)

I didn't have alcohol until 6 months out. Warning - it will hit you faster than before!

I am taking a 65 mg Iron supp on top of the iron that is in my multi-Vitamin. This is due to a suggestion from my nutritionist. Even with taking a 20 billion probiotic I get constipated and have what I refer to as "sandpaper BM's". I know Water can help and I drink as much as I can. I also eat 3 prunes a day. I tried going off the iron for about 2 weeks but I started feeling light headed. Does anyone have a good iron supplement that doesn't constipate you? I have tried several stool softeners but every single one sends me running for the toilet for a couple hours.

Take it one hour at a time. Keep walking and keep drinking your water. It will get better - I promise!!

I am 10 months out and have never slimed or PB. To be honest I don't even know what that is but I can tell you I have followed my doc's orders and I have not had any problems whatsoever other than bad acid reflux after the surgery. Took medicine for two days and it never came back.

I am saying a prayer of thanks for you Big Cat. What a blessing you are to pray for everyone :-)

Stick with your doctors plan. I know it is tough but it is truly for the best!

I have not dared to drink any diet coke because I am worried about stretching my pouch. Following to see what others say.......

I get Protein shakes for free from Insure Nutrition. The pre-made kind. They send a prescription to my doctor, he signs it and then Insure Nutrition mails the shakes to me at no charge.

I get really bad headaches when I am dehydrated.

I would still participate but just walk around with a bottle of Water or something else to drink. Don't exclude yourself from festivities :-) Maybe there will be mixed nuts or a cheese platter?

(((Prayers)))

I am almost 10 months out (not sure if that is what you would call a veteran) and from my experience I started seeing myself in a better light about 2 months ago. I felt good about my weight loss months 1-8 but it wasn't until about month 8 that I started feeling like a normal sized person. I have also been overweight all my life. I am down to a size large top (maybe a medium) and 12 pants and I have never felt better. Yeah, I have loose skin but you can't tell with my clothes on. I nearly cried the day I realized I no longer can fit in the plus sized section at clothing stores. Then it also dawned on me that I can shop at "regular" people stores like NY & Co or the cute little boutiques. Having this surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I wish I would have done it sooner!

Congrats and happy birthday!

Like many others I will usually just eat off my husband/kids plates. Or, I will order a plain cheeseburger and just not eat the bun. Instead of fries I will get a side of vegetables. Soup/chili is another good thing to order. We are all cheap dates now!

I've tried it and I like it. It is a refreshing change from those pesky protein shakes! For me it is kind of like drinking a Vitamin water. I like the peach and fruit punch flavors.

following. i am interested to see what everyone says.

Hang in there! The first 10 days were the hardest for me. I went through a roller coaster of emotions. I am sure it had a lot to do with my body have so little food and Water compared to before surgery. Take it one day at a time and before you know it a month will have passed and you will feel so much better!

My tube didn't leak at the incision site. They had it stitched closed. I would contact the doctors office to see if they need to take a look at it. Draining that darn thing was so annoying. The day it came out was glorious!! And it didn't hurt a bit.

You would need a prescription for weight loss supplies to be able to use the FSA account to pay for them (I believe). I don't think you can use it for OTC Vitamins, Protein, etc. I put the max I can on my FSA account each year which is $2500. I blow through it by mid year with co-pays for office visits, lab work and prescriptions, vision appts and dental work for my family of 4. I guess you have to evaluate what you spent on medical expenses last year to see how much you should do on an FSA account. I need two crowns so I always know that if we don't use all the $2500 towards the end of the year I can get one of my crowns done and use the rest of the money up. I have been saying that for 5 years now and still haven't been able to get those crowns. I am a huge supporter of FSA accounts. The money comes out pre-tax and the less taxes I have to pay the better!

I was thinking "this person must not be drinking the right kind of Protein if it tastes that good" at first. LOL I am beginning to even hate the word protein at this point. Love my new figure though!