Tiffykins

Congrats on getting your sleeve. I drank warm liquids a lot because they "felt" better going down. Even to this day, I drink warm liquids because it relaxes my stomach. It does get better, hang in there.

Ohhhhh that sounds yummy ! ! ! Share away. ..

I belong to a military spouse support forum as well, and we have one of these threads. It's very refreshing, and kind of fun to be able to express yourself freely. If anyone would like to participate, it can be about anything, not just your sleeve, not just your food intake, it can be your emotions, your thoughts, your hurts, your concerns. Totally free judgement zone. If you want to share something that is bothering you, post it, get it out. There's so much more to life than our sleeves, and sometimes we get wrapped up in our pre-op/post-op stuff that the rest of our lives get lost in the mix. I hope this sticks, and helps someone.

Hi Connie, and welcome. I am almost 1 year out, and have not had any true hunger. I just know when I "need" to eat. For several months, I had to have an alarm on my cell phone go off every 3-4 hours to remind me to eat. I've heard mixed reviews on the hunger feeling coming back. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is also produced in other parts of the body so while the majority of sleeve patients have a significant decrease in hunger, it's not a guarantee that you won't have some hunger. Most that experience hunger, from what I have read, state that a very small amount of food (protein) satisfies them. Best wishes on going through the steps to getting your sleeve. I love mine ! ! !

Ange, I am so happy to read this update. It's very encouraging, and gives me a lot to look forward to in the future. Congrats on all the great victories during this pregnancy, and you have to promise to come back and post pictures when you can ! ! !

This last week was a whirlwind. We had the Security Forces ball on Friday, and it was awesome. I was complimented on my dress by a lot of strangers, and my husband's face just lit up every time someone told us what a great looking couple we were. I don't think I've ever felt so fabulous. It was my first ball, my first formal since my senior year prom. Least to say, it was emotional, and fun all rolled into one. Saturday we headed out with some friends on their boat. We fished, swam, saw dolphins, and had a great time. I did buy a swimsuit, and felt amazing in it. I did buy a cover up, but it's just this lacy thing with sleeves. I felt confident walking into the shoppette on base just wearing that, and didn't think twice about anyone else seeing me. For the first time since 8th grade, that's 19yrs for those counting LOL, that I haven't been self conscious. Not to mention, this is the first time since 8th grade that I've owned a swimsuit. It was all new territory for me. But, I met the mental challenge head on, and conquered it. I couldn't believe that I wasn't worried about what people were thinking. I just let everything go, and I feel like a huge weight (no pun intended) has been lifted off of me. I am just living life for the first time, and you know what, it feels amazing. We were busy all weekend. The husband got sunburnt and looks like a lobster, the kiddo told me how beautiful I looked in my gown, and I had an amazing time without all the worries, and self-doubt. That's huge milestone in my journey. I don't get many NSVs anymore, I'm just living, and that alone is the biggest NSV thus far. I had to realize that I was taking all the little things for granted. Like, not huffing and puffing after lugging groceries in from the truck, my knees not screaming at me after walking around the mall for 2-3 hours (sometimes more if I hit other stores when I'm in the shopping mood), all the things that made me miserable when I was fat are gone. Physically and mentally I'm stronger and healthier than I have ever been. That's not to say, that I don't have a bad day here and there, we all do, and I've learned that it's okay to have a bad day. I am still critical of myself, and my flaws. I want to not fret over the wrinkly skin, and for the most part, it doesn't bother me. Some days are just tougher than others, and I have to remind myself of where I came from, and look to the future. The sleeve has given me a life I never had before, and I can't wait to live each day to the fullest.

Sassie, I am so sorry to hear of your complications. There really isn't anything I can say except I understand how you feel, and I hope you get some relief soon. With my complications, all I wanted was to feel semi-normal. It's mentally, emotionally and physically draining to deal with surgery, add on complications, and it just makes things even more stressful. Please know that I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Reach out to us, we'll be here for you. This place was my saving grace during my recovery, and I do not know what I would have done without the friends, support and encouragement from the members of this forum.

Damn Lis, I hope you get some resolution with this reflux stuff. I'm so glad y'all liked it. It is heavy, I could only manage a tiny bit. I let it settle for about 10 minutes then had a few bites of my homemade mexican rice. I was so shocked that I actually was able to pull off pretty stinkin' authentic tasting mexican rice. Being from Texas, I craved Tex-Mex, and the Mexican food places here just are not the same. I decided to start making stuff in attempts to feed my Tex-Mex cravings. Thus far, I've been pretty lucky that the husband has liked the couple of Tex-Mex dishes that I've conjured up. Considering the man had never eaten queso and chips, or guacamole until he met me. I told him he was severely deprived, and we immediately started expanding his food horizons.

Thank you for sharing.

I would almost be willing to bet that Oregondaisy would be willing to talk to you via telephone or private email about her experience with Dr. Aceves. I can assure you she is not fake. We talk via phone, email, we chat in the chatroom here a few nights a week. I am sure there are others that would be willing to talk to your privately. You might want to just send a private message to those members and ask them for their personal experience, and some of them would probably be willing to talk to your personally. There are a lot of Aceves patients on here so you can just kind of pick and choose who you would like to contact. There are 3 surgeons in Texas with self-pay prices close to Aceves sleeve price, and a couple in Cali that have good reputations with comparable rates to Aceves. Best wishes with your husband getting on board with you. It's important to have the support, and maybe with a little research, or personal contact, he might come around. Keep us posted once you get your date set up.

Glad to hear that you've rounded the corner, those first few days are the toughest. Keep on sipping, walking, and resting.

YAY YAY I knew you were gonna get to goal, and you've done fabulous. Maintenance is a boogar. Honestly, I never thought I'd have an issue with continuous losing, but I think I've got it under control.

Just wanted to let you know that I've got you in my thoughts today ! ! ! Best wishes for a smooth and uneventful surgery and recovery.

Fabulous results ! ! ! Great news on your blood sugar levels, many more victories are coming your way. For the ticker, Go to USER CP at the top of the forum. Hit Edit Signature. Then open another window or tab, and go to tickerfactory.com Make your ticker with a PIN, once it is set up, and you get to the Code page. Highlight and copy the bBcode. Come back here, paste it into the signature box. Hit Preview signature, if it shows up like you want it, hit SAVE signature. VOILA ticker in signature. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hi there, and welcome to the forum. Fingers and toes crossed, prayer sent your way for approval. Keep us posted.

And, don't forget that the stomach is not the only place that Ghrelin is produced. From my super geeky readings, I recall it's also produced in the pancreas, just in smaller amounts.

That's a great ah ha moment if it gives you some relief ! ! !

TexasT had her revision performed by Dr. Wade Barker. I have a personal friend that just recently went to him for her sleeve, and raved about him. I have zero personal experience with him, but I have met TexasT (Tara) and my long time friend in Texas have nothing but fabulous things to say about him. You could contact TexasT on here by clicking on the member list up top. AnnaK used Dr. Nick for her revision if you'd like to contact her for her personal experience. Best wishes in your research.

With my weightloss, my little fat pad back there at the same exact area is gone, and now my backbone actually pokes through when I bend my neck down. So, I am not sure about any surgical procedure, but mine disappeared on it's own.

If you leave the ground beef out, you can eat it on mushies. Just make sure you chew the tortilla well, and keep the tortilla bites to a minimum. For me, tortillas were a no go for a couple of months, so just pace yourself or maybe use corn as alternative as they won't expand as bad as the flour. You would have to check your approved list from your doc about mushies/soft solids and if ground meat is on the list then you can have it on mushies with the beef. I will have to say this was one of my favorite finds thus far. Apparently, about 6 guys in John's SF building came into his office asking what I had cooked because it smelt so great. One guy asked him to have me send them the recipe.

So very glad to hear there was no clot, and that surgery is still on for tomorrow. Is the pain like a pinched nerve kind of pain? I would get a shooting, numbing pain down my left leg before I lost weight then my muscle would cramp up like a charlie horse.

I think the exercise will help. On the oatmeal, have you ever considered adding an egg white? It ups the Protein count by 6-7 grams, also adding some ground flax seed will give you more Fiber combating some of the carb load. Just a couple of ideas. With the increased walking, try increasing calories by 100 a couple days then dropping back down. Even if it's just an extra cheese wedge or Tbsp of Peanut Butter. If you like avocados, they are an excellent source of good fats and calories. I love them, and eat 2-3 weekly. We need fat for our bodies to function properly just like we need an adequate amount of sodium, and Water. Just getting the increased walking will get things burning, also make sure you've taken measurements. The scale may not move much at first, but you'll probably see some inches come off especially around your thighs and lower abdomen. When I was walking more, I noticed my clothes fitting better in those 2 areas.

How many carbs and calories? And, I know exercise has been limited, but you should be able to see some scale movement with the increased walking. During my losing stage, I stuck to 4 meals a day. They consisted of a minimum of 15grams of Protein, and a couple bites of veggies if I had room. Typically, I didn't have room, and that helped keep my carb count super low. If you are eating every 2 hours, do you how many calories you're getting daily? Did you have any diabetes or borderline insulin issues? Have you ever been tested for insulin resistance? Something might be going on metabolically, and if you haven't had post-op labs pulled, it may be a good time to see either your PCP or surgeon to get some labs pulled. After I lost a considerable amount of weight, my thyroid levels changed. Not in a bad way, they actually became more normal. I was on the low/normal range for my T3 and T4. Now, I am as normal as can be.