Christinamo7

interesting. in the between sizes, I am either buying at Goodwill, or buying staples in the S,M,L, XL type sizes (L for now) because I find they last me through more pounds lost than numbered sizes. it feels so good to get rid of the XL and 2X - I never want to see them again.

my plan was clear liquids for in the hospital, then full liquids until the two week mark. when I went in for my one week follow up I was doing very well, and I asked about starting soft foods - and they told me in the next few days I could go ahead but to choose really soft things (they gave me a list - scrambled eggs were NOT on the list, however that was due to so many people having trouble with eggs. I wanted to try them, they told me just go slow only a bite or two and see how it set with me) so, I did. and I didn't have a problem. but my point is I saw my doctor and talked to my team. I just didn't decided for myself that I was healed enough to move my diet forward.

constipation.

I would think there could be an increased risk of gall bladder issues - do you still have yours? better plan is to go back to basics and move your body.

it is usually possible to get leave, FMLA approved quicker if the doctor signs for it. Last summer I had an urgently done hysterectomy and my paperwork was turned around in a week, just a few days before my surgery. I'd try to get the paperwork in and see what needs to be done.

I have only had an issue once or twice, and I've eaten too much. I have had to learn to stop when satisfied and not keep eating. that does the trick for me.

well, first off I think you need to find something else to scratch that itch when you're not happy. for me it's cleaning. yes, I am a stress cleaner. I do feel a lot of satisfaction when I've beaten the dirt out of my kitchen or bathroom. second, back to basics with the eating. It may numb you up in the feels for a while, but it doesn't last and it all comes crashing down on you in the end. so - have to retrain your brain to think of food as fuel.

I look forward to seeing your progress after your surgery! I hope you're quickly down where you'd like to be, and without all the problems you had with reflux.

no chewing. oversized is always better. bigger straw = more flavor and it's hard to suck on a skinny little straw which is just frustrating. what's your preference, @@Dub ?

well, I can only speak for me, and imagine what it would have been to make such a great change younger - but at this age, I don't care what anyone else thinks. if they were close to me I took the time and respect to listen to their opinions and then did what I knew what was best for me. that includes my dear husband. also, being over 40 I have a better understanding of what is best for me. and I think I also didn't care if I end up having to give up wine, or anything else. I understand more than ever as I get older that life is not forever and it has to be grabbed and lived. I want to see my grandchildren and I don't want to be robbed of experiencing life with them long enough for them to remember me when I am gone. I think when I was younger I thought - oh, I have time to try this or that to change my weight - and now I have realized that the time is now, and I needed to make it happen. people have always thought I was a lot younger than I am, and in someways that as annoying as my experience was dismissed at times - it will be interesting to see how that perception might change as I get closer to goal weight, I am sure I will also be looking more my age. I just don't think that will bother *me* much as I don't spend much time looking at myself. I think I am also more likely to set aside the money and time I need to take care of myself. whether that means doing less for someone else so I can make sure to get in my exercise or carving out money for the gym - spending appropriate money on good healthy food. I am more willing to do that now than I would have been when I was younger.

today I removed the extender from my watch band, and it fits perfectly. starting to feel like a normal sized person again, priceless.

don't squeeze, don't pick don't do any of that stuff. leave it alone and let it heal. once the glue and junk is gone off it you can rub coconut oil or olive oil onto the healing scabs to help them, feels lovely and actually will make the scars better. but you still shouldn't pick or scratch because at some point they will itch.

@@JamieLogical I figure any up and down within a 5 pound range is probably just normal life - but let's not see it continue. I want to see you able to keep up your running.

You are the one who knows best. others are speaking out of their own experience, things they have seen. and they care about you and want to know that you are ok. I am glad you've been able to halt the weight loss. I was afraid you'd have to hold back on the running, and I know how therapeutic walking or running can be when you are going through a hard time. "If you knew my husband, you would know how absurd a notion that is! He seems to be doing a bit better these last two days. Kind of in a numb denial I think. He has therapy this evening, so hopefully that will help some."

I was told 4 weeks.

I wait a half hour after I finish eating before I start drinking. sometimes more depending on how I feel. Some people do not, but I do find I am more satisfied with my food following this rule. plus Protein fills me up so well I don't really want to drink. now that being said, I am on some things that I need to take with a meal, so a sip to swallow a pill, or a sip if my mouth is on fire is fine, I just don't drink any substantial amount while eating. I don't really want to, so it is not a problem.

completely normal. just like before surgery except only a little bit of food and I am satisfied.

@@RJC5197 love your profile picture! GO BLUE.

this is going to depend on how long the swelling lasts in your stomach, or else possibly eating too much. one bite over the line and I've felt this way. if it is just the swelling for me it was a couple of weeks.

I am using dulcolax stool softener every day, a MOM pill every day and benefiber twice a day. this has helped me as I have had a few (5) impactions since surgery. NOT FUN. however, my team is wanting me to not stay on the MOM (milk of magnesia) so if I am still needing all of this at my 6 month check up they will refer me to a GI specialist because I was told there are prescriptions that would be better for me in the long run. I had the runs for the whole year I was on metformin, so this has been quite a change.

used car salesmen. bahahaha! I love it. I do not get along with my NUT, but it doesn't bother me in the least to disagree with her, as my surgeon usually gives me the same advice I was thinking was right to begin with. I was sure hoping other people were having better success with their own NUTs.

@@KindaFamiliar it doesn't bother me to be called names........... I have teenagers, I'm used to it. But I can't help you with your 'heads up', as I usually miss all the drama too. I know you have at least 7 other friends....... surely you do.......... or just one, if they never sleep............ mmmmmm Bacon.................. !!!

it is common to have these concerns as surgery gets closer. However, I was more afraid of the complications of my obesity than of the surgery. I hope to hear from you that you have made it through with flying colors.

perhaps assign each of your friends to be responsible to give you the 'heads-up' one day a week? maybe each thinks the other is doing it for you? just a suggestion...... That means he has 7 friends?!?! Lmao well, I am assuming he has at *least* 7 who are willing and able to give him a 'heads up' - he's very popular........

Great! that's not too far off, I look forward to hearing about your progress.