NJMOMof2

I started my journey on January 3, 2011. After a short and terrible experience with the band I was very reluctantly sleeved. To make a long story short, I had the band for only 3 months and had a major slip and after agonizing pain, had it removed 3 days shy of 3 months. I started my new journey at 245. Today I weighed in at 192!!! I am not going to lie and say it's been easy. My biggest problem in the mental part!! I was an emotional wreck after the surgery with major regrets. I then had big problems eating out because it would literally make me angry that I would order a meal, take a few bites and be full. My EYES and HEAD wanted me to eat the entire thing!!! Though the help of a friend I met at a support group and my sister-in-law (who had gastric and is doing great), I worked through these challenges. I know to order food that reheats at home well....(no salads when I am out!), I take it slow during meals so I can eat my food the same time everyone else eats an entire plate....and I keep thinking of how 'lucky' I am to be able to get about 3 meals out of one meal!!!! I went shopping today because I have NO clothes!! I fit into a regular size large shirt and a pair on size 16's from the junior department. There's no "W" after that 16!!! Even more amazing that after taking my kids to the movies and Friendly's last night I woke up and WEIGHED LESS!!! That would NEVER have happened before!! It took longer than most but I can now say I am very happy I make the decision to do the weight loss surgery route again.... Thanks for reading!!

I hate to say this but every time I see someone on these boards who is having problems and not feeling well, it seems their doctor or nut already has them on full or mushies too early in the process. I know there are a lot of people who started full liquids or mushies with no problem too, but you know everyone is different. My doctor specifically said to only have clears for the first 10 days because up to 2 weeks is the risk for a leak along the staple line.... Tiff always give good advice and obvioulsly with where she is in her weight loss/maintaining...she is doing the right thing.. I would personally suggest to stay away from canned, purreed, salty foods this early out and stick to broth. I used

Wow...that's rought to be having those problems that far out! I was on regular foods at 5 weeks. I hope you find relief soon. GOOD LUCK!

Cottage cheese, refried Beans, soft cheese, baked potatoes with sour cream, mashed potatoes, ricotta cheese, eggs--they KILLED my stomach though, yogurt, Peanut Butter, cream of wheat Cereal, grits, oatmeal and any pureed Soups, pudding, popscicles. You can add dried nonfat milk to the soft foods to boost the Protein and it doesn't have the weird taste and smell that 'unflavored" (yeah right) protein has...... I pureed my chicken then sprinkled cheese over it and baked it. Wasn;t too bad! If you puree chicken, be sure to add chicken broth.

I had surgery almost 12 weeks ago and have NO reflux and don't take a PPI at all. I think it depends on your anatomy

I heard the smaller the bougie the more of a chance for reflux. My doctor uses a size 40 bougie and I have NO reflux at all. I had to take some prevacid a couple days after surgery but that's it. a can eat about a half cup of dense Protein and I am filled for hours. I got hunger pangs but at around 9 weeks post-op, they went away With that being said, I heard there is a very very minor difference in the sizes (we are talking millimeters.....the thickness of a dime) Good luck and do your research. you don't need GERD to get worse!

Thanks for your information. I am so concerned about stretching my stomach. I can eat about 1/2 cup of food right now and I am happy with that. i don't want to gain this weight back. I am only 11 weeks out so I am still in the 'new' phase!

4 days out and back to work???? You are are a superwoman!!!!

It will get better! You barely meet a sleever on these boards who...after they have healed, regret surgery. There is also unflavored Protein called "Beneprotein" It's pretty good and I think is more "flavorless" than powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury. The cheapest I found it is on www.medco.com Good luck and I promise....IT WILL GET BETTER

I was a MESS before surgery and guess what??? I am doing great and it all worked out fine!! Yes, it will be tough in the beginning but that is TEMPORARY!!! I am 11m 1/2 weeks out and I lost 52 POUNDS!!!! That's like a year's worth of weight without the surgery. Relax, Breathe deep and Visualize all the things you will be able to do that your weight prevented you from doing. good luck!!!

I was a HUGE drinker with meals too and just like anything in life...you will get used to it. I don't eat 1/2 hour before or after a meal and I am very used to it. To be successful you have to follow the rules. Sipping when you need it, like Tiff says is okay but the idea to this it to fill your cute little stomach with good food and allow it time to digest so you won't get hungry. If I can do it, anyone can

You look beautiful! What an amazing amount of weigh in just a year! I hope to follow in your footsteps. You are an inspiration!

Sweetie....love yourself and be proud of all you've accomplished! YOU LOST MORE THAN YOU CURRENTLY WEIGH!!! That is absolutely amazing. You are a WINNER!!!!!!!

ABC news did a report a few weeks ago and they said 99% of ppl with bands have complications and 40% must have them removed. I was one of the 40% and I can tell you it was HELL!!!

I have BCBS of NJ and was approved no problem. I was ready for a fight but it wasn't needed. I was very suprised. Keep fighting.

Congratulations Tiff!! I am so happy for you. Nothing is better than looking into the eyes of your child. I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy!!!! You worked so hard for this and enjoy every minute of it!!!

Give yourself time and be careful!!! You are at risk for a leak until 2 weeks after the surgery! The surgery, pain meds play games with your mood so you have to keep yourself calm. You should find a support group in your area. I had therapy for a full year to deal with my food issues before I was ready for the sleeve surgery. Also, at your stage they said to consume no more than 6oz of Fluid an hour. Measure your foods and be good to yourself You will get through it.

My doctors office gives up a paper that has portions and it give you an idea of what your plate should look like. It's the size of a salad plate, which I eat off of every day now. If you message me, I can email it to you...

Don't beat yourself up. I am going to say what no other person said...your surgeon in a CREEP!!! There is not hard fact evidence of the liver shrinking...NONE..Just a belief. My doctor doesn't even require a pre-op diet for this reason and he is a very cautious doctor. just no large meals 3 days before surgery. I am sorry you had to go through this horrific experience. I can imagine the planning and mental preparation you had to go through. Don't beat yourself up, folloow the plans and get your surgery. I am speechless at your story.

Sending good thoughts, prayers and vibes your way!

What a transformation!! I hope you feel as good as you look!!!!

That is so amazing! Pink is sure your color! Keep up the great work!

I use the fat secret app. I have an iphone and I do love it..

Today marks 11 week since my surgery on January 3rd and I hit the 50 pound mark today!!! I can honestly say that I didn't start "loving" my sleeve until a couple weeks ago. I struggled with the feelings of "what the hell did I do to myself?" to being frustrated because going out to dinner meant taking a few bites and then being full. I worked through all those feelings and have been working out like crazy (spinning). I had to buy some tops because I had none!! I fit easily into an XL at Old Navy!! I don't usually shop there but I had a coupon and there is no way I am buying good clothes until I reach goal!! So to any of you who may be considering this surgery or newly post-op.....It's not an easy journey but it gets better every day!!!!

I went out to dinner and "forgot" too. I started slurping though a straw, got a huge bubble in my stomach then tried to take a nexium for the gas and threw up into my hand while running to the ladies room...LOL you live and learn....