I Can and I Will

I'm 3 months out...it will get better:thumbup1: I was having terrible heart burn from eating, taking the vitamines, drinking...etc...eventually, it stopped...Your intake right now is very limited...3-4 bites was challenging initially for me...soups were very good. I would get a small cup and sip it...maybe 4 oz. String cheese was also very very good and easy. Hang in there...it really will get easier.

I still get hunger symptoms; however, it's more about not getting all my liquids in...after I take a few sips of liquid...I'm good. The only time I burp is when I eat to fast or don't chew enough....

Hey Sweetie333! I had my surgery August 5 so I"m just past 3 months and have lost 54 pounds. First month was about 25lbs and I've done about 10 lbs/month. It sounds like you and I are about the same size and have the same goals....I"m 5'7 and want to get to 145. Plan sounds good AND be prepared to not let your perception get in the way. My experience on this journey so far has been very positive;however, the weight loss is quick to begin and will slow down based on how much you have to loose. I periodically panic if I think I am stalling or haven't lost enough; however, it's averaging out to about 10lb a month.:thumbup: It's amazing that it's only been 3 months for me and some of my panic is that it isn't happening quick enough because sometimes it seems like it has been longer than just 3 months...tracking it is so helpful because it gently reminds me of the process!!!! I started in a tight 20 and now I'm in an 18...I'm thinking I should have been in a 22;-) Congratulations to you for joining us LOSERS:thumbup: Look forward to hearing about your journey! :001_tt2:

Hey Beautiful...ditto ditto ditto to what has already been shared. Each day I have to remind myself to just continue creating new healthy habits. Try and let go of "the scale" and focus on your new life so that you do not stress over the "weight". That is part of our old self...THE scale...aaaahhh! Healing is first...then getting on a healthy routine. One of the things that really really helped me is to go through this discussion board and read. It will help you prepare mentally for what is happening. Your feelings right now are true for you and the same feelings were true for others...welcome to a new NORMAL;-) Seriously...this is a great group of folks with lots of experience and support.. Welcome to a new you!:001_unsure: Caro

I buy these quiches that are really good. They are called Nancy's and for others are a single serving but end up being 4 servings for me. I keep cottage cheese in the house in case I need something quick and easy. I"ve found that using whole wheat 6 inch tortillas and making little mini pizzas. I bought pesto sauce, put left over chicken, sauteed mushrooms and onions with fresh parm...delicious. Again, most people can eat the whole thing, depending on how I feel I cut it up into four pieces and can eat two (maybe). Finally, I buy small watermelon and eat it through the week...nice treat and helps with my Water. Have to be careful because of of the sugar; however, it helps. Soups are also really really good. I get Pacific tomatoe Soup and then put 1 string cheese in it to amp up the protien. Hope this is helpful:thumbup:

LOL...so now when someone tells you to pull up your big girl panties...you'll have to say, "heck no"...I've got my sexy panties on and they are FEELING GOOD!! Okay...I must admit...I don't know if I will go there; however, thongs could be an option!!!! I'm going to try them for sure... Congratulations on having a good time and enjoying yourself!!!

There are many other ways you can use fage yogurt....since it's high in protien and people are struggling with protien, you can add it to other foods to increase you protien...found this link that has great ideas....:sad0: Things to Do with Fage Yogurt | Recipe4Living Caro

My dear beautiful friend, Always remember, you are losing the weight and have wonderful things happening to you. Ignorance on his part will never change and you are always going to have ignorant people around. I am sorry that happen to you...it is very sad we have people like this.:thumbup1: This is not an excuse for their behavior; however, by his acting out like that, he's more about pointing out the things in others versus dealing with his "own stuff". It's not about you...it's about him. As a wonderful friend said to me long ago..."don't pick up his bag of rocks". If by chance you see him again, have a wonderful statement ready for him and do not get angry...simply smile and say..."Nice. Thank you for your kindness and support." Don't let him know he can get to you....

I"m four weeks out and went to an outdoor concert and the only thing they had to dring (besides water:tongue_smilie:) was a frozen drink. I got a small and nursed it the entire concert....got a little buzz but didn't feel like I over did it...stay away from the carbonated drinks...just remember everyone is different and you may tolerate something without problem initially then the acid comes....:001_cool:

My doctor said someone should be with me a day or two after I get home... See if your girlfriend can stay with you. I wouldn't suggest being alone because you may be dizzy from the initial change in your diet and abillity to take in liquids. It also depends on how complicated surgery got. Some people have different experiences; however, most have someone with them post op for the first couple of days until you can get your feet on the ground... You will need the physical support and probably some emotional support...remember, this is major surgery.:001_cool:

...just a couple of thoughts...I'm at week four...it has slowed down; however, I am thinking that my body is adjusting and trying to figure out what is going on. I'm trying not to focus on how much and how quick because I also don't want all the extra lose skin...which leads me to the second thought...ARE YOU WALKING OR INCREASING YOUR EXCERCISE:tongue_smilie: I'm just now getting to the point were this whole experience is starting to normalize and healthy is becoming habit. I will say; however, I lost my job this week (laid off unexpectedly) and WOW...once again I am realizing I need better coping skills...LOL. We are all going to get there:thumbup:

I second VegasAngel...get a load of SF popsicles. I also found that premixing the little bottles of Water with crytal light was like a popsicle in a bottle...you can only sip it as it melts. If I get four of those in I"m good. One of the first things I do now in the morning instead of coffee is mix water, fruit Protein and ice then begin to sip. I have a container that can hold two bottles of water so, I try and get one done by lunch and then other I nurse the rest of the night. You are in all our thoughts....go to the doctor and get checked out first! Caro

As I'm reading...I agree most docs are different. The only thing I would say is do the Clear liquids for a week...maybe two JUST BECAUSE. You are going to have to find "how much" makes you full and adjust to that. The clear liquids help keep the process simple versus if you get sick because of something you ate. I'm 4 weeks post op this coming Wednesday and eating most foods. Again, my biggest challenge is figuring out what foods work and what don't. I would suggest moving slow with foods the first month so you don't get overwhelmed...be mindful that week 3 you may hit a wall :thumbup:(emotional challenge of "what the heck did I do") due to the change... Best of Luck and keep coming back to site...it's been a GREAT WEBSITE for helping me deal with the little things that come up.... Caro

I did Clear liquids for a week and then for weeks 3-5 mushies; however, I'm starting to add some things. One thing I really really like I got from costco...two small seadless watermelon...YUMMY!!! I chill it and cut a quarter, cut it up in small pieces and munch on it over and hour...

YOU GO GIRL!!! Thanks for sharing....we newbies need these kinds of storys to help us know...IT IS WORTH IT AND IT WILL HAPPEN!!! I BET NOTHING YOU TRIED ON WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE SMILE THAT WAS ON YOUR FACE:001_tt2:

I'm in week 3 and absolutely having to grieve and change my relationship with food. It has been such a comfort over the years and that behavior isn't going to go away over night....I'm having to find other ways to cope which takes some effort and thinking differently...knowing what to do and doing it is one of the biggest challenges. I just want to get past it and because I"m so focused 24/7 it's hard...:001_wub: I am so jumping into my relationship with God right now to help me through this... by the way, went to costco and bought these two small seedless watermelons...how delicious! Cut about 1 cup and nibbled while watching TV and it's something different. We'll get there together okay?:thumbup1:

THanks AJW....just in time:blush:

Nanna, thank you so much for your honesty. I am struggling the last couple of days and have realized how important food was to me in dealing with things. I'm looking for scripture to help me and so appreciated reading your post today. Thank you

Well last night was my first time going out to dinner...my wonderful husband hasn't been out to eat in a loooong time and wanted sushi. I had a couple sips of Soup, about 5 bites of salad (should have probably stopped here) and then 3 bites of sushi (protien only). As we were walking out and by the car...well...let's say it was easily coughed up. LESSON LEARNED. Also coming to the realization of what role food played in me dealing with stress...makes me kind of sad because things are "stressful" at work, new diet, economy at home etc....and I can't eat. Please pray for me....it's hard. LIfe's kick'in my butt right now...LOL...and I can't eat my way through it. Question: is anyone having th sensation that when you swallow, it feels like something is "stuck" and that what ever you are swallowing passes by...it's hard to explain, it's like I have something stuck down near my sternum that is like a flap that when I drink or eat, I can feel it pass...:smile:

I had egg drop soup today...pretty good. My challenge now is some of the medicine I'm taking. One of the pills causes MAJOR heart burn...I've tried taking it first with nothing in stomach, taking it with yogurt or eating...still burns. Going to call doctor as don't like the feeling and want to make sure it's not doing damage. He told me I could continue to take, just need to make sure. Can't wait to test some of her receipes....I laugh because she calls it "porn"....I look everyday to see and now understand her label....LOL

I'm with ya blues:001_rolleyes: I'm having food envy:drool5:...LOL. The tomato soup and cottage cheese is a great start. I'm 2 weeks out and do a protien shake in the morning, soup (tomatoe or 99% fat free chicken broth which really tasty) For me it's getting some other taste besides the "sweet" from protien drinks. I also bought unflavored protien power from a health food store and put that in my Soups as well. I"ve put clam chowder in my bullet adn it was really good. The only suggestion I would give is to let it set as it has a lot of "air" in it after being blended. I'm also eating string cheese and chewing the heck out of it.... Don't forget we need to change our thinking...remember, right now is a temporary moment in time...remember how good you are going to feel. I know that I personally am going through some grief about not being able to eat when I'm stressed or need some comfort...this journey is making me deal with that issue... WE ARE GOING TO DO GREAT AND WILL GET PAST THIS OKAY:001_tt2:

Don't give up...patience grasshopper:001_smile: I think in the next few months there will be more research/feedback regarding the sleeve and it will eventually take the place of the lapband. In speaking with my doctor, she felt right off the bat that the sleeve was the better surgery...what ever you don't, don't loose hope and give up...it may take some research...try and find a doctor tht does both and see if he can help with finding research. My doctor does both and felt it was the better...it was the same price as the lapband so.... I got you in my prayers....believe;-)

Hey Tweets, I am 12 days post-op with verticle sleeve and today was my first day back to work (surgery on a Wednesday, hospital on Thursday & Friday then home for a week) I felt good enough to go back to work physically by the following Monday; however, changing my eating habits and getting on a rhythm is what I was looking for...I'm glad I did:thumbup1:. In relation to scar/incision...I'm lucky, my surgeon only went in through my belly buttom so other than looking deeply into my belly button, it's all good:blushing: but pre-operative diet is key to shrink liver etc... My mom has lap band and is not being compliant. My cousin had it and wished she had the sleeve and as you read through this board, many people have switched over. I'm still a newbie; however, the concept of having something foreign in my body or "irrevisible" was an easy choice because I want to be successful. The odds of something happening with the lap-bad are greater in my opinion; however, it is just my opinion. If I may offer, don't over think it and freak yourself out...read the literature, make your decision and then don't play "what if" and torture yourself:blush:...either way, both procedures are tools and it's more about what you make up to do in your mind. I hope this help.... Finally, what ever decision you make, you will have the folk and information on this site. People are awesome and in the same boat...lots of support. By the way...I see you live in Diamondhead MS...that is were my cousin lives;-) Fun little community!!! Caro

Bravo Chancie! Please don't be scared to post & have that old picture...it is a beautiful accomplishment and can serve as a gentle "nudge" if you ever are down to let you know you are beautiful and capable of overcoming anything! Caro

Hey AJW, Took these protiens (shot and powder) from walmart to my doctor & nutritionist and they gave it the okay. Also, liquid tylenol is you friend;-)