BestDayEver

I like LoseIt! I guess I'm just used to it and it works for me. I use the free version. My son likes MFP because he feels it has a bigger database but I never cared for it. Whatever app you use it just makes it so easy to track every day. I plan to track right into maintenance and beyond as it really helps. I use Waterlogged app to track my daily Water intake. And BM Classic to track my poops (major constipation issues here). I love having a smart phone for all this tracking, just makes it super easy and fun.

Agreed. I have quite a few cans of chicken broth in the pantry. Gross.

Wow. Just wow! And congratulations on a job well done. It's an inspiration ????????????

My surgeon's instructions say no gum ever because it would cause problems if swallowed. I think this is more of an issue for bypass patients than sleeve in my mind. I chew gum every now and then because I know I won't swallow the gum. The last time I swallowed gum was when I was a kid and thought that would be a fun thing to do. As usual, there is conflicting information on this forum so call your doctor's office if you want their advice on the gum question.

Congratulations!

What a stupid thread. Lol

I've been battling constipation for over four months now, as long as I've been sleeved. I worry about the ongoing use of laxatives, but nothing else works. I've tried prunes (hate the sugar and carbs), and adding a probiotic and benefiber. My doctor's instructions require two multi vitamins a day so I think the iron is a factor, and I take 1200 mg of calcium. I never had any issues before surgery and this unrelenting constipation gets me down. For those with more time into this process, my question is will this ever get better and when did it get better?

My husband was worried more than anything else. Worried that I would regret my decision and be unhappy. He loves eating healthy and is happy about how I'm cooking dinner these days. I do think he worries about how our relationship might change but as time progresses I think he sees the changes are for the better and has less fear.

I think it's good to have a strategic plan. I know it's only the middle of September but I've already mapped out in my mind how I'm handling these special occasions. Will everything go according to plan? Maybe not, but I'm arming myself with the plan anyway and anticipating challenges and imagining how I will handle these situations. I enjoy thinking ahead and it gives me less stress this way.

Agreed - there are many pictures online to show this.

When I was sitting in the waiting room of the surgeon's office pre op, a woman who was scheduled for her sleeve surgery was telling another patient that as she understood it she would eventually be able to eat whatever she wanted and wondering how long she would have to wait before having soda again. Yes, you can eventually return to old eating habits and expect to return to the same old weight. Since surgery I've completely changed how and what I eat and realize this is the new reality for me if I want to be at a healthy weight. For me it is worth the struggle and effort.

I think I've lost enough weight that I have less sleep apnea but now I'm having crazy dreams. Last night I dreamed that my niece was icing a mountain of chocolate cakes with chocolate icing and I was eating a chocolate cupcake. I woke up upset because I thought I really had eaten a cupcake and I was so disappointed in myself. Another dream featured a Chinese buffet and a plate of fried rice. I hope these food dreams end soon.

Congratulations on achieving this goal! I know you put in a great deal of effort to get to this point. Well done ????????

My hair was super thick a few years ago and started to thin about two years before the surgery. At four months out I'm losing a lot of hair and there are bald spots on the top of my head. I just try to blow it over the top to disguise it (the dreaded comb over). I guess I'm lucky it was so thick. It is a bummer and I truly hope it will grow back. But I love the weight loss and health benefits way more than I hate the hair loss.

I went on an extended road trip this summer and found that my favorite fast food stop was Taco Bell. I ordered either a beef or chicken soft taco and would eat just the meat, lettuce and cheese and throw out the tortilla. It was easy and tasty.

PPI stands for proton pump inhibitor, medication that reduces the amount of acid in the stomach. Examples are omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.

I had GERD before the vsg and used a PPI - after surgery still have GERD but not as bad. I think I will always need a PPI.

Why not focus on cardio on the recumbent bike then? Your heart will thank you for it ????

I weigh myself weekly and there have been times I was afraid to face the scale, but I say get on there and just do it. Stay accountable. Don't wait another month. Just my two cents.

Maybe it's an esophageal spasm. For me it feels like a heart attack and is super painful. It comes on suddenly and all I have to do is drink some water to stop it. I had these before surgery and a long history of GERD. I take a PPI daily and that helps minimize these symptoms. Best to check with your physician though if it keeps happening.

Congratulations!

Once a week works best for me and even that can make me fret.

How many of us can say we lost weight and maintained that loss prior to surgery? Very few I imagine. As soon as I lost the weight, I relaxed my diet and exercise and gained it all back and then some. The fear is very understandable and I have the fear too. I hope this time will be different. I'm highly motivated but I still struggle with the same old cravings and head hunger. It's always a work in progress, just have to stay the course. I feel so much better that it's worth the fight.

You mentioned you can't afford a trainer or gym membership. My local community college offers a variety of fitness and weight training classes at a much lower cost than the gym and it includes access to the school's fitness facility as well. Something to consider.

I've been amazed by the reaction of friends, family and coworkers. A minority are highly supportive, many don't really seem to care one way or another or notice any changes, and few have been surprisingly hurtful. The pre-op psychologist warned us that some friendships may be casualties of the process. I feel so determined to make this transformation, that I don't really care what anyone thinks about my choices!