Malaika

Hi Tania - Welcome to our family. Sounds like you have a very busy life - and that you're loving it - that is GREAT ... congrats on your sleeve and keep us posted on your progress.

I think CST is only 1 hour ahead of PST Daisy - I'm hoping to be able to get into chat one of these nights if things ever calm down (and I can get through all of the posts that accumulated while I was on vacation)

Actually you can eat 24/7 if you want - they have pizza and ice cream available on the Lido Deck 24/7; plus all day long on the Lido deck you can eat and to top it off, you can get room service (FREE) 24/7 ... so the only really "planned" meal is dinner. We just avoided the dining room and Lido Deck as much as possible. No pizza and only 1 small frozen yogurt cone.

The excess mucus will go away with time -- if it's too bad, try some liquid benadryl for a couple days -- it really helped me my first week following surgery. Glad to hear you're feeling better.

I agree with you Tiff. They are served with everything, it seems, in the south (i.e., Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama). They are definitely not something I've ever learned to like that's for sure!

Have you talked to your doctor? I know I had a hard time drinking anything after surgery, too, and it turned out my esophogus was spasming with every drink I took; it sucked. It's been 3 months now and it has gotten easier to work around. Knowing what was causing it helped, too. I would contact your doctor, nurse, nutritionist, whoever and talk to them about it. You definitely don't want to get dehydrated and end up back in the hospital on IVs. Keep us posted okay?

What type of post-op diet does your surgeon have you do? Is it 2 weeks of liquids? If so, trust me, you'll be SICK SICK SICK of liquids by the time you get to move to mushies if you do 2 weeks liquid diet pre-op too ... you may not think so at this time, but trust me, one week or so into it you're going to be so sick of liquid you would rather not eat. A low carb/high Protein diet will also shrink your liver and you actually get to eat - if you watch what you eat and keep your calories lower you should be able to lose weight before the surgery. Keep in mind, this is my opinion only and others may disagree.

I so know what you mean about the comments - Bearded is very generous with them and I still don't see it when I look at myself - I can see a huge difference in him. You're doing good and it shows! We're all gonna get there, it's just gonna take time is all.

Daisy -that's GREAT about the meetup group - and the Ballroom dancing, too - keep it up girl. Please don't think I was trying to negate the passing of your father or your puppy - I've lost my mother and my cat of 21 years that I'd had since his birth, so I can relate to what you are going through. I held Sam in my arms as he passed too, through an injection, and it was so difficult -- having another pet doesn't replace the one you lost; however, it does help to bring joy to your life. Keep up with your counseling and improving your social life and you'll find happiness again in your life.

Welcome to the family Cindy - congrats on your surgery date, too -- your new life is going to be beginning soon and you'll be on the path to a new, healthy life! In addition to what Tiff told you about the ticker -most importantly remember to SAVE YOUR SIGNATURE (it's towards the bottom of the page) or you'll have to start all over again. Any questions - ask away - someone will have an answer or opinion for you - we're all here for the same reason so don't think it's a stupid question or whatever - if you need an answer, ask the question!

They are all on Bearded's camera, so I am hoping he gets them downloaded today as I haven't even seen all of them - promise to post as soon as I have access to them! You lady, btw, are looking GREAT -- John is going to be in for one heck of a pleasant surprise in a few weeks!

So, Bearded and I just got back from a 7 day Carribbean Cruise - Left from San Juan, then on to St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antiqua and St. Kitts, then back to San Juan. Because we'd both lost weight, we were able to do things that pre-WLS we wouldn't have been able to do -- in Dominica we went river tubing (WHAT A BLAST!!!); in St. Lucia - we went horseback riding, and in Antiqua we rode Segways (you know, mall cop?) ... and we weren't even close to the maximum weight -- what a great feeling it was not to have to worry about stepping on a scale and being told we were too heavy for the horses. (They didn't actually weigh us, but we were told they could if they wanted.) We did a lot of walking and both held up with no problems -- I have to admit the walk back up from the Emerald Falls in Dominica was a bit rough on me, but more for the fact that I'm not used to 87% humidity -- my legs and knees held up fine though! It was an awesome trip and we can't wait to do it again - something to be said about white sand and blue Water so clear you can see your toes even when you're in water up to your neck! And ... a scale victory -- 7 days on a cruise ship - and I lost 1 lb. and Bearded lost 2! And we ate what we wanted - appetizers, entree and dessert --- the best night was the lobster tail and shrimp - Had to share!! :party4::party4::party4:

You are in my thoughts and prayers and I too pray that God will lay his healing hands upon you and heal your body and take away your pain.

So sorry for your losses Daisy. Although it's difficult now, try to look on the positive side -- you got to have 90 years with your dad - that's a long time! You got 13 years with your baby and for a small dog that, too, is a long time - and you were with her when she passed over to the Rainbow Bridge -- she is no longer in pain and will be there waiting for you one day. Eventually, with time, you may want to get another pet - it won't replace her; however, it will add happiness and joy to your life. The thing with the BF - it's an indication that he is not the right one for you at this time in your life. Mourn your losses, definitely; yet don't let them take over your life.

I've never been a big drinker - however we were on a cruise last week and I decided to get a drink one evening -- it burned all the way down - I thought - probably just the first drink - so I had another - same result - then I added some water to it - didn't help - I gave up. I had the same results with some "rum punch" on one of our excursions - one sip and that was it! Guess drinking is off the list for me entirely now - which doesn't bother me all that much as it's just wasted calories anyway.

Awesome news Shanda - you will be in my thoughts and prayers and you will be in God's hands - no better place to be. Keep us posted on your progress ... and speedy recovery!

I'd STRONGLY suggest going and getting properly measured/fitted at a bra store before going out and spending a lot of money at VS or anywhere else -- if you're not wearing the right size bra - and they say 4 out of 5 women are in the wrong size - then they are not going to be comfortable no matter what ... granted, even if they are the right size, they still may be uncomfortable, but at least you'll know it's not because it's the wrong size.

Glad you enjoyed it - it definitely beats chicken broth that's for sure!

I'm 3 months out of surgery and still can't do eggs very well - poached better than anything else. Try the ricotta bake for lots of good protein and great flavor -- I'm going to make it tonight with chicken and asparagus ... mmmmmmmmmmm

I didn't like any of the nectar flavors - they were all too too sweet - but that isn't unusual for me since surgery - everything is too sweet.

I can relate to that too Susan -- 20? Heck, my youngest son is 1/2 through his 20's ... enjoy ladies!

I'm like you Daisy - I remember taking the "happy pills" in my room and the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery with a dry throat and pain in my left shoulder and Dan-0 (who had a tummy tuck) next to me saying "you were in the van with me". I also remember the nurses (or someone) asking me if I could move my legs and me kicking them wildly saying "Yes, why?" The only side effect I had was when the morphine was wearing off I itched - not all the time and not intolerably -- I thought it was from the antiseptic stuff they bathed me in - a nice bright pink that stains things, btw! I was up and walking within an hour or so of being back in my room and never had any intolerable pain at all. I recommend the spinal -- I liked it much better than the epidural I had with the birth of my first son.

Me too! Me too!!!!!

The stall in the weight loss is normal - everyone seems to hit it about week 3 or 4 -- don't worry - you'll start losing again. As for the water thing - I still have trouble at times getting it all in so I suck on ice cubes all the time - SF popsicles are good to get fluids into you too. Just experiment with what works for you and you'll figure out a good regiment and be getting in all your liquids before you know it.

WOO HOO You are looking so good girl -- and -51 WHOA! That's awesome. Keep up the good work and keep posting those pics! I bet your husband is ecstatic eh?