i1Linda

I haven't tried the FiberOne Bars yet. Luckily for me, the FiberPlus bars don't cause that problem for me. I'm sure for my husband, they would. I used to eat quite a bit of fiber each day, so it hasn't taken my system to get back on the fiber program post surgery. Quick question Vegas - how do you get your Protein in with a salad? I haven't ventured there yet, because once I get my protein in, I'm stuffed. How much salad do you eat at a time? Salad does sound really good. I may need to stop into Central Market tomorrow for lunch and hit their salad bar (pay by weight so don't pay for more than I want).

I use Benefiber in my morning coffee. Just enough to keep things moving along (pauses to drink some more water). I also splurge from time to time on the Kellogg's Fiber Plus bars. 9 grams of fiber per bar. Taste like a granola/candy bar. Probably too high in carbs, but 9gm of fiber - got to love it.

No problem! I too had the "that can't possibly be right" feeling but I asked the girl at LB and she told me it sometimes happens when you lose lots of weight. I am waiting for the girls to catch up. I would like to be a nice pleasant full C. But at this point, I will take the losses any way they want to come. :001_huh:

Okay Vegas - I can answer this one for you. Band size = around chest (no boobs) Cup size = around bust - band size ( 2inches =B cup, 3=C, 4=D, 5=DD, 6=DDD and so on). So, just like you, I went down in band size and up in cup size. I was wearing a properly measured 44DD back in June, today I wear a 38DDD. Apparently I have lost one inch around my chest more than around my bust. Makes sense because I also lost my back rolls too which get figured into band size. I hope that make sense - you're not the only one:thumbup:

Charity - Back in early June, I was right where you are. I was self pay and started out wanting the LapBand, simply because it wasn't permanent. However, after hanging out on LapBandTalk and ObesityHelp forums, I discovered lots of people who were struggling with the band. Then I found others, that had to pay for a second surgery to have it removed. Somewhere in there, I heard about the Sleeve. While hesitant at first to do something I thought at the time was "so drastic and permanent", I quickly learned from the different websites that people who were sleeved seemed to have a much better quality of life. Once through the recovery phase, the worry of something going wrong, went away. Once your healed with the sleeve, you are basically healed. With the band, things could be going great for months or even years and then some people start having problems. Some problems required surgery to fix, others just required the patient to just "live with it". The more "invasive" sleeve surgery, didn't seem as invasive as a second surgery to remove the band. I am a constant worrier. I worried for 2 weeks post-op that something would go wrong, it didn't. I couldn't imagine worrying about my LapBand ongoing. When I thought of WLS, my ideal surgery was one where I could eat what I want, but just could only eat much less than before. For the most part, that was the Sleeve. Of coarse with the sleeve you need to eat lots of Protein, keep your carbs down and fat low, but if I really want the popcorn at the movies, I can have it with the sleeve. Just much less of it. I am currently 9 weeks post op. I have lost over 50 lb since pre-op diet and LOVE MY SLEEVE. Today I have had the following to eat: Protein shake for Breakfast, 1/2 chicken breast with 4cherry tomatoes for lunch, a Protein Bar for afternoon snack, 2oz steak with 5 green Beans and 1 tbsp mac and cheese (I couldn't resist) for dinner. No problems, not hungry, and most importantly, I feel satisfied.

Good idea Vegas. I will check they recycling thread. I have a bunch of work cloths from Lane Bryant that someone here might want.

Hey Everyone! I am so excited about my project this morning, I just have to share. I have had difficulties getting dressed in the morning because everything I try on is too big - not a familiar problem for me. Anyway, I decided it was time to ditch everything that fell into the "too big" category for good. In diets passed I always held on to some of my favorite big things, just in case. Not today - if it was a 20, 22 or 24 it is GONE. Most of the 18's went too. I have no concerns that I might find myself back into a 22 in a year. I love my sleeve. I found some stuff from skinnier times past that fit just fine and some 12/14's that almost fit. My neighbor might think I am leaving my husband - he kept watching me as I carried armload after armload of clothes out to my car. The trunk of my Camry is stuffed. I usually just take this kind of stuff to good will, but I might try to find a resale shop. It's a lot of clothes, expensive clothes (you all know Lane Bryant is not cheap) and I could use the extra money to supplement my wardrobe in the next couple of months. Thanks for listening - happy losing :thumbup:

Yeah!!!!!!

Welcome Amanda! I just had my sleeve surgery in early August. I paid cash in Dallas and paid $12k. I am definitely a few years older than you (I'm 38) so I can't help you there. My only regret is that I couldn't have had the surgery back in my early 20's. I was back into my daily routine 70% after a few days and 100% at exactly 2 weeks. Good Luck to you and feel free to ask any question you might have. There are lots of very generous and knowledgeable sleevers on this board.

Thanks Dee Dee and Susan! It's been almost 5 years since I have seen Onederland. However, this time is different. I have no doubt, it won't be a quick visit like years passed. I have relocated to Onederland and plan to spend on long, happy life here. I do plan to downsize to smaller accommodations over the next several months.

Thanks Vegas. I keep stalling then losing. I think my 15 hour days at work this week (on my feet, running around with my head cut off) seemed to be the "magic" trick to finally break out of the low 200's. Someone on the board mentioned a scale gremlin who stuck his foot on the scale to keep you right above 200. I finally squashed that little stinker this morning. :001_smile:

Congratulations Dee Dee - my August 4th Sleeve buddy. Keep up the good work. Onederland is AWESOME! I found myself there this morning - 198 (how do we not lose anything for several days/weeks and then lose 3 lbs overnight? Whatever, I will take the loss any way I can.

Hi Bob! Congratulations on your weight loss so far. I am just a couple days away from solids foods. I have similar food issues. Like Vegas, I have trouble getting anything down in the morning. I start every day with a nectar Fuzzy Navel w/ Crystal Light. Gets my fluids in and a jump start on the Protein. Like you, sometimes I can eat what I think is "a lot" and other times just a few bites and I am stuffed for hours. I haven't found any particular foods that don't sit well except one. I can no longer eat eggs, period. Every time I eat them (or foods rich in eggs) I get horrible stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. I'm not sure if you are doing things right or wrong. However, you're not alone. I'm right there too. Hopefully we are both not messing things up. Linda

Another option is Protonix. It is now available as a generic in the US. Much cheaper than brand name Nexium and is also a proton pump inhibitor (works the same way). Granted, you have to wait until you can swallow pills, but it can save you some money.

Congratulations Susan! :thumbup1: That is an AWESOME accomplishment. I can't wait to get there myself. Still a ways to go, but I will DEFINITELY get there.

I was told by the dietician to take a multi vitamin (two of my kid's gummie vitamins are fine) and 1500 mg of calcium citrate every day. I take the chewable calcium citrate now but will hopefully progress to the Citracal Petites (smaller tablets and easier to swallow) in a few weeks.

Thanks Steve. I will have to try those exercises. My back is starting to feel a little better. I am working on my posture (ya know - suck it in a little). I think I was over compensating for my stomach muscles and my back was doing all the work.

I think Mac is correct on this one. I bought some Ketone strips - yeah - I'm totally in ketosis. The "sourness" seems to be a little less significant today. I know your body adapts and the initial ketosis symptoms fade away. Hopefully, that is what's happening.

I am on a PPI - so I don't think it is reflux. Things still taste good while I am enjoying them. But once I am done the taste in my mouth turns sour. So weird. Even brushing my teeth - the toothpaste flavor turns a little bit yucky after a bit. So weird - but it does sound like everyone who has this surgery has something go wacky with their taste buds. I'm losing weight, so I can live with it for now.

I am almost two week out from surgery (still on full liquids until Tuesday). Every time I eat (I mean drink) about 10 minutes later, my mouth turns sour. Anyone else have this problem? Not sure if it's my body (hormones) or if it's a side effect of the anesthesia. Any thoughts?

Thanks VegasAngel - I tried the heating pad on it this morning while sitting at my computer working - It did help a lot.:laugh0:

Welcome Don! Glad to see another Dallasite. Good Luck on your upcoming surgery.

Hypersensitive is an understatement. Every little twitch and pain is like - "OMG what just happened?" The back pain just wouldn't go away and kept getting worse - of coarse I was up and about more and more. I kind of feel silly having a CT for back spasms. The piece of mind however is very much worth it.

Well, had an interesting and somewhat scary experience today. :biggrin0: Just thought I would share. I started back to work yesterday, and my back started to ache throughout the day. Today the back pain was much worse and had to keep sitting down without much relief. I called my doctor who asked me a bunch of questions about the pain. In the end, he said to come in and he would order a CT under contrast. He wanted to see what was going on inside. I asked if it could wait until the morning (I had a meeting this afternoon) but he told me no, he would prefer to see me today. So in a panic, I raced to the hospital, drank the nasty contrast stuff (mixed with cranberry juice - I kept trying to convince myself it was a cranberry vodka with cheap vodka - yuck) and got a picture taken of my sleeve. Once finished, I hiked back across the hospital to my doctor office and was told....my sleeve was perfect. My back pain, was back spasms. Apparently our stomach muscles are anchored in our back. As my stomach muscles spasm due to the stress of surgery, it works its way around to my back. Anyway, now that I know what it is (and that me sleeve is fine), I can tolerate it. Not knowing, well, I thought I was leaking everywhere. Whew!!

Good luck tomorrow! I will be thinking of you!