Malaika

I would email Gaby and ask her - tell her what you've been doing. I don't think it will hurt you -- I know I that everytime I crushed my pills and mixed them with Water, I threw up. I started crumbling them intead of crushing them and taking them with just a tiny bit of yogurt or applesauce (this was about 10 days out). I know others have swallowed their pills since the day after surgery. I think it best to go to the source and ask Gaby (or Nina or Renee) and see what they have to say. Let us know.

Nether - welcome to the forum and thank you SO MUCH for sharing your story -- your weight loss is remarkable - I hope I can do as well as you have done. I love the idea of focusing on the positives - I'm all about positive reinforcement. We look forward to hearing more "words of wisdom" from you!

Yes, we have Gaviscon here in the US - I will look for it when next I'm at the store. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thank you for deciding to share this story SoCal. I am so sorry for what you had to go through and I think you are right about sharing your story to keep others who are hesitant to eat/drink to be sure they stay on track. Your (ALL SLEEVERS) doctor gives a post-op diet to follow for a reason and it's your job to follow it the best you can - and you definitely need to stay hydrated. Heed this unfortunate lesson that SoCal had to endure. I hope you will heal fast and not ever have to go through this again SoCal.

Bookgirl - congratulations on your surgery. Isn't Dr. Aceves awesome? I've had the reaction your talking about to other medications - my doctor called it "flushing" and it lasted about a day or two. As for the naps, I needed them for a while after surgery until I was getting in more Protein ... having undergone surgery, the anesthesia and the drop in calories/ protein, it's not uncommon to run out of steam before you run out of day! Keep us posted on your progress -- you're going to be THRILLED!

I think if you're insurance will pay for it, I'd go that route first - if that doesn't work, or you don't have insurance - then I'd go to Dr. Aceves - and yes, he will remove the band and perform the sleeve in one surgery and he's wonderful. I doubt you would have any complications - and he keeps you in the hospital 4 days/3 nights and performs 3 leak tests to help insure that there are no problems before sending you home.

You are doing GREAT ... I am jealous - I am almost 4 months out and have lost 47 ... you're ahead of me in 1 month ... will be great to see where you are in 4 months. Glad to hear you are doing so well - keep us posted!

So was reading and posting to a thread last night about NSV and lots of us were saying how we've been going through our closet and how we've pulled so many items out that are now too big for us. That got me to thinking maybe we should start a thread where those who have clothes they've "shrunk" out of would like to donate to those who need something in a specific size because they are "shrinking" out of the size they have. Anyone interested in something like that? I am sending a box of my clothes to another member on this board. I don't know of any consignment shops in my area and I ate to just give them to goodwill when they are in such good shape -so I would much rather give them to someone who can use them and then pass them along when they are too big for them too. Just a thought!

OF course it will be better --choose to let it be better - don't focus on the negatives - focus on the positives - stay as busy as you can and try not to think about your tummy ... you ARE going to be FINE!!!

Jenn - I don't think patience is any of our fortes - I know it's not mine where my WL is concerned. I am at another stall - going on 3 weeks now - however, I am working out 3-4x a week and I can tell the inches are coming off (bought some size 16W slacks 2 weeks ago - they were snug - wore them this week and they're loose). As for the stomach - I recently read that once you lose your weight you should give your body up to a year to tighten up any extra skin before having a tummy tuck - so you're 3 months out, not yet at goal (but damn close) - so give your tummy time and you may be surprised at what happens!

Skinny - Welcom to your 1st STALL -- it generally happens about this time (not to everyone, but to most) so just keep on doing what you're doing and the scale will start moving again - don't get depressed, it happens and will happen along your WL journey - it's just part of the process. You are NOT alone!

I LOVE Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the one with Michael Douglas where he's President and Annette Bening - can't recall the name (LOVE IT); Gran Torino, all of the Borne movies, De ja vu, Double Jeopardy. There are so many, I can't think of them -- will try to post here as they come to mind!

WOW - never knew that - always go to USER CP and then click send message -- this is SO much faster! Learned something new today - will go to bed less stupid tonight!

Daisy - when I see my doc on 10/15, I'll ask him about it. Lan2K - Everything you're going through is normal - everyone experiences these feelings - you need to find a way to quit worrying about everything - stress can stall your weight loss- and then you'll be worrying that you're not losing weight. Stop - BREATH - count to 10 - RELAX! (BTW - I LOVE Scrabble!)

I've been really hesitant about trying pasta or rice ... I've had a few bites - I mean like 2 or 3 and chewed the heck out of it and I didn't seem to have any problems with it, but I haven't sat down and had an entire meal involving pasta -- and not sure I will anytime soon.

Sounds like you're doing well ... hang in there, every day gets easier ... and we'll be here anytime you need us -- just ask!

I did that before our cruise - actually tried on EVERYTHING in my closed and modeled for Bearded -- I, too, have 2 lawn/leaf bags ready to go away. I took some of my slacks to one of the gals I work with. I have another box that I am sending to a friend out of state. Since the first part of September, I've had to pull other pants out because they are too big, and the same with some tops. Two weeks ago I bought 2 pairs of 16W at Kohl's and now that the weather has cooled down, I pulled them out yesterday to wear and they were loose ... luckily I have a friend who sews so she said she will take them in for me. The big thing for me is that I wore the slacks with a new top that was belted and I had to punch extra holes in the belt to make it fit me tight enough! Plus I got a TON of compliments at work. I am so loving the results of the sleeve!

I wasn't able to eat too much when I first started on mushies - so I tried to be sure that what I did eat was very high in protein - it took me almost an hour to eat 2 oz. - luckily, I have a desk job, so I could just "graze" on my 2 oz until it was gone. I don't really know what to tell you Shanda, just do the best you can and as your stomach adjusts to something other than liquids, you'll be able to get down more than 4 tsp. -- try to be sure that any liquid you drink as protein in it - add it to your water or whatever you are drinking that isn't a protein drink. Hopefully someone will have more information/suggestions than I seem to have for you right now.

Stoongal - glad to hear you had such an awesome experience and are doing so well -- keep up the good work.

Four - California, Connecticut, Indiana and Nevada

Knowledge is power :svengo:

I don't think I'll ever look at a coconut the same way again -- and I definitely won't be eating one!

Thin - so so sorry for your loss. I have lost pets - and it is so very difficult; however, I find that I love having pets, and so I continue to get them, knowing one day they will leave me to go to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for me to join them. I love them while they are here and the unconditional love they give in return is nothing that can be compared to anything else. I never try to replace a pet I have lost, each is different and special in their own way.

Oh yeah, you're right about that - Nexium works the best; however, my insurance won't cover it, it also won't cover Prevacid, that's why I'm on Prilosec. I will stay on it until I see my doc on 10/15 and then talk to him about it at that time ... I'll just take the zantac along with it as that seems to alleviate any acid.

You're in our thoughts and prayers - will be looking forward to hearing how you are doing once you're able to post.