Loot Lady

Oh yes - take the pills. Take the laxatives too , take all the drugs, they do help. The two days recovering is getting all the sedatives out of your system. Keep drinking fluids or make your own calorie free freezies or ice cubes to suck on. Great flavours and kinda feels like food. I even crush ice and add the flavours like a snow cone.

I still get get hungry and have cravings. I find smelling other peoples food actually helps. I can't eat it ... it will make me sick. But I can smell it. The problem with giving in to the sugar cravings, as those cravings will get stronger every time. I am finding sugar free options where I can (apple sauce, sugar free drinks frozen like a freezie) for those dessert desires. I am on soft food and starting meats now, which are much more satisfying. Chicken and swiss chalet gravy.... those are craving I can give in to. Just in very small, slowly eaten ways.

My favourite is ziploc bags shaped like freezie - add your own calorie free drink squirts (koolaide etc) and they are great pre op, post opp, give you water and feel like a treat too! Protien Shake cookies - (I hate shakes) add 1 egg white, 1/3 cup splenda and bake for 10 min, 350 degrees.

Here is my take on things - I told friends and family first, once I had a confirmed surgery date. Then after surgery, I told others. Mostly for myself not having to deal with awkward questions... if you loose a lot of weight quickly, sometimes people think you are sick and worry about you. It happened to me before, (another weight loss attempt) and a customer brought me a get well card thinking I had cancer. So - I used facebook to announce to others post surgery, that if they noticed me loosing weight, it was because I was focusing on my health, that I was recovering from a gastric by-pass. The support I got and continue to get is amazing. Be brave - you decide who knows, but consider the positive role model you are.

you should be seeing your doctor soon - follow up, talk to him/her. Other things affect your weight - washroom etc. (not wanting to get into details) I am stalled as well, but trust that time and continuing to stay the course will take care of it.

If I dont feel better in a few days I will call the clinic to see if there are any options. It is slightly different in Canada and covered by our Provincial Health Care.

I just started my 3 week optifast and i am struggling to drink them. I can only have 4 shakes a day plus calorie free liquads. I am lactose intolerant and the idea of the shakes makes me feel uggg. I am not eating anything else but so far I can only handle 1 or 2 shakes a day. Any suggestions?