Shontel

Tiff-my pets are my life. We had a Catahoula Curr Dog who was a member of our family as well...rushing to meet us, licking us to death. She was mauled by another dog, and didn't make it. My daughters couldn't bear to see her buried, so me and my fiance buried her in the backyard. My dad made a headstone. I'll keep you in my prayers, remember, everything happens for a reason, even though we don't understand it.

I'm so excited! I couldn't tolerate them with my band, they always got stuck!!! Also another great great snack...beef jerky! Tiffy I've heard you recommend this a as a snack...1 oz is 15 g protien...80 cals...yay!!

Good Luck Jules...I went to Mexico also...twice, once for the band, then for the revision when my band crapped out. Glad to have you here. Aetna, I have them, don't get me started, I didn't even bother trying. I'm 3 months out and lost 46 pounds with little to no effort....you'll LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!

I had hard times when I first started eating out. Wait Staff comments as well as my fiance' getting used to me eating a few bites and being done added to my stress. Now I order half orders or appetizers when I can, or order off the kiddie menu if its something I like. Sometimes I just mooch off my fiance's plate. lol On the subject of telling people about your surgery, I've said this before, its a personal decision. As common as bariatric surgery is these days, I think people who see other people lose lots of weight in short periods of time kinda suspect. Those who know me always ask, sometimes I tell sometimes I don't. Attitudes vary greatly when it comes to this; jealousy, harsh judgments (i.e. you took the EASY way out....yeah right) most people are just curious about it.

You CAN do this. Your sleeve is a tool, a guide, you already know what to do. Try hanging out here as much as possible, we are always here to help. I live a highly stressful life, we own multiple businesses and there is always STRESS. I am 3 months out and have lost 46 pounds. Its hard beginning a new life without food as an emotional crutch. But it can and is done by a lot of people. I had an abscess a month after my surgery, had to go back into surgery to have that drained then had to pack it 2 times a day for weeks. It was a tough road. I still struggle daily with not really being able to eat, I MISS IT! I'm trying to find other things to fill my time, but it ain't easy. You'll find your way, feel free to read my blog or Private Message me if you need any other questions I'll be glad to help!!

Girl so glad your feeling better...I had my gall bladder removed years ago...I'd been having attacks for a year before I finally got it out. Glad your doing well!

loser- thanks for the good advice! I think I will get them in my hip also, but will have to do it in my thigh if I do it myself. My mom and others I know swear by the shots, but I've read that the oral is just as effective. Again, my problem is they all make me sick. (and I've tried many, believe me) Tiffy-Wonder why your friend gets so ill? I've read that some are allergic to the other components (maybe preservative?) of the injection. If I have any negative side effects, I see no need to, but for me, its just less pills. Side note: I have low folic acid...anyone else have this problem? I've had this problem way back since I got my lap band.

Its only once monthly, and its 1cc (1000 mcg) I'm just not that good at pills in general, and vitamins...eck! But I am working on it. I opted for the injections also based on my moms experience...she has TONS of energy as a result of these shots....lol..I'll take what I can get...I've tried the sublingual, also.

Hello everyone...My doc has put me on B12 Injections once monthly (partly due to the fact that I'm not taking my vitamins on a regular basis whatsoever...please..no lectures) I was wondering if anyone else has done any self-injections or had these. My mom is going to teach me, she's had RNY and has been taking these for years. I've been researching like CRAZY...I'm no chicken, but the needle is a 25 gage 1.5" long....gahhh!! (the pharmacist recommended it) I've read that its and intramuscular injection. (ouch) and i know the places to do it...arm, thigh or butt (ouch ouch ouch) I just don't want to be sore for a week out of each month. Might go to a 1"...can anyone chime in on their own experiences with this? or perhaps any nurses out there? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lets see, this week I lost 1 more pound. I really didn't think I'd have lost any due to the fact that it was Mardi Gras and I kinda got off track a bit (darn those adult beverages!) So 46#'s total so far. I did have a Dr.'s appointment (my yearly) He drew some blood (still waiting for results) but after I told him how crummy I have been about taking Vitamins (I know, no lectures please, I know) He gave me that lecture as well. He put me on B-12 injections once a month (have to do them myself...yikes!!) I'm feeling better physically. One thing I noticed in the past week is that I'm able to eat a little more (maybe a bite or 2 more off of 1/2-3/4 c) I am still not really getting hungry, but when its time for me to eat my stomach feels sort of 'weak' don't know if that makes sense, its not a sick feeling, (thanks to switching from Prilosec to Prevacid) My major think I want to work on this month is getting more exercise. I know my weight loss will speed up if I do. Here's my weight loss stats so far. Month 1: lost 26 pounds. Month 2: lost 14 pounds. Month 3: 6 pounds. I'm really ok with losing 5-10 pounds a month. I'd rather lose slowly. But I know I need to begin excersizing. I have been continuing to lose inches though my weight loss has slowed...my hips started at 47" now I'm at 42.5" I need to work out with some weights cause the 'saggies' are settin in! Well, that's about all for now..feeling hopeful and ready to shed the rest of these pounds! Oh, I'm already past my halfway goal! I have about 30 pounds to go!! I know I can do this!! :w00t: All labs are normal!! Yay!!

Tiffy!!!!!! You go girl!!! What an awesome transformation...I hope to be as successful as you!!!

Like Tiff, I learned that with my lap band, to tell you the truth, It doesn't bother me at all now.

Refried beans are really dense, I noticed I could eat less of dense food. I went to Wal-Mart and bought these cool little dip bowls about 1/2 c. they are in the Corelle dish section. They saved me at first, I didn't count on my own signs & signals at first, because they weren't strong enough to tell me when to stop, it was like I was full all the time.

I think early on, the water requirements are for dehydration purposes, when most of us have a lot of trouble getting anything down. But though water is a great 0 calorie choice, I hear a lot of those who have an aversion to it. Keep in mind that any liquid would count towards your goal (mine was set at 64 oz minimum to keep from dehydration) Foods have liquid which counts, tea, coffee, milk ect. I personally don't care for Crystal Light, but I squeeze some lemon in with my water (with ice) which somehow makes it more pleasing for me. If anyone has ever been dehydrated, you know how crummy it feels. Chronic dehydration has a lot of detrimental effects.

Keep in mind that everyone's body types are different...My mom is an 'apple' shape where she holds her weight in her abdomen area...it took her a little while to notice size changes, but when she did...it was dramatic...I on the other hand am more of a 'pear' shape, hold my weight in my massive thighs & hips...lol so though my waist is shrinking, my thighs are just hangin on to all that flippin flab...lol...I've went down a few sizes but initially at 20 pounds..I was still in the same size. Now 45#'s down, I'm a few sizes down...and Tiffy is right, right after surgery your gonna be bloated for a few weeks till all that gas works itself out.

Mini me...I'm DYING for a road trip...where are yall driving from? I've always wanted to go to the Grand Canyon!! So jealous!!

Thanks yall! I got so many complements on how I looked that night!! Yay me!

YaY deedee!! You go girl!!!

I have heard rave reviews about the Calcet Creamy Lemon bites...I ordered some, and I have to say, I don't really like them. The texture is like chewing soap, really sticky and almost an oily goo....I know alot of people like them, but I'm really picky about textures, just my opinion of course I know they are really popular.

Eating out has been a real challenge for me...Our southern culture literally REVOLVES around the next meal. Our society in general (wait, let me put my philosophy hat on..lol) wants more for less. Portion sizes as we all know are ridiculous. Its funny how I flocked to those same restaurants because of this when I could shovel food. Now, I see it as wasteful to go because I can only eat so little. I order half orders (when available) eat appetizers (even those are sometimes gi-normous) or the old, "honey, I'll just nibble off your plate" (grin) We truly are 'cheap' dates!!

When I was a few weeks out, I took some Tylenol 4's that made me sick. It was the most horrible pain I think I've ever felt...dry heaved for 20 minutes..my stomach was in spasms, it felt like a razor was cutting through my chest as I heaved. I really thought I was having a heart attack. Cold sweats/clammy hands...I hope to NEVER experience that again. Afterwards I was so weak and drained!!

OK, this past weekend, I rewarded myself for my 45# weight loss, bought a pair of Buckle Jeans! I never ever ever have been able to fit into ANYTHING in that store. My sis is a pro at what to buy there, so she helped me pick out a snug fitting pair (to get more wear out of them when I lose more weight) so here are a few pics of me all 'cleaned' up :w00t: p.s. I feel so dorky, (like my teenage daughter) snapping pics of myself in the mirror!

My doc put me on Prilosec which I've taken since my surgery. The past few weeks I've been having what I call a sour stomach. sort of sick to my stomach type of feeling. I decided after reading some other posts/vlogs, to try Prevacid as this has worked for others. Its a miracle! lol....really really worked for me! No more naseua! I couldn't believe it! I don't know what the difference is, but for me at least, it made a heck of a difference. I'm still never hungry, but makes me able to do more things now that I'm not sick. Yay!

I lost 26 pounds my first month. My second month I had a stall, but still lost 14. Had an abscess in one of my incisions so that set me back from activity, but still loss nonetheless.