TexasT

My testosterone cream is compounded by a special pharmacy in my town and is available by prescription only. The label says "testosterone 2% in emu cream".

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At the beginning I could only get down a few ounces at a time. I think I threw away more protein drink after it got warm and yucky than I actually got down. But every day you'll be able to drink more at a time. That's why everyone says to just keep sipping all day long. I found Isopure ready-made easier to drink this way. It was clear and didn't get gross if it sat around for awhile. I tried several flavors of it before I found one I could get down easily. I liked it actually better than the thick protein shakes, and it had more protein in it, so that made me feel like I was being a good girl!

When you can do full fluids, I always liked to make chocolate protein powder shakes with frozen cherries and a touch of chocolate syrup. It was kind of like eating chocolate-covered cherries. I don't like strawberries, but I guess you could do it with them also. Good luck - you'll be on mushies before you know it!

Got your kitty message. I've got two ragdolls actually - sisters (Mia and Mocha) that are about 1.5yrs old. If you look carefully at my picture, there is another ball of fluff near my feet. They are beautiful girls, but not very "rag-dollish" in nature. They are not lap cats, which is what I was hoping for. Should have been more particular when looking at breeders...but I love them anyway!

Thanks for the photo comment. I do have some loose skin under my neck since the fat is gone, but it's not any worse than other women our age. My tummy is almost flat now, but after two C-sections, a hysterectomy, a lap-band, then this past surgery (lap-band out, hernia repair, gall bladder out, then sleeved) I'm not exactly in the run for being a swimsuit model - ha! I could use a mini-tummy tuck, but can't afford it nor want more abdominal surgery unless necessary. I don't have a huge flap of skin hanging down and can fit in a sz 10 pant, so at my age I'm happy with how I look (and so is my husband). So far, I've not had any issues with hair loss - either with the band or the sleeve. But I've always had tons of hair anyway. Maybe the thinner your hair is before surgery the harder it might be to hold on to it after, but I don't know. I just know you have to keep at that protein and not get behind. Good luck with your surgery - I'm sure you'll do great!

I meant WLS in general is hard, not the sleeve. Be prepared to deal with others and their reactions. Will they be jealous, proud, resentful, etc. What do you tell people about your weight loss? Challenges to eating out - what to order, how much, what to tell waiter asking if food was bad since you only ate a few bites. Be prepared for liquid diet. Before surgery you'll get hungry, but realize with sleeve hunger hormones will be less, so it's easier to do liquids. Expect to get to the point of thinking "if I have to drink ONE MORE protein drink I'm going to gag!"

Living with the sleeve is easy compared to life with a lapband. The hunger is still there, but MUCH less. All of my co-morbidities previous to WLS are gone. I walk about 2miles/day and feel great. All the mental and physical challenges leading up to this have been worth it.

I needed my gall bladder out and was also having vague pain in the area near my port. My surgeon, who put in my band, told me about the sleeve and suggested I go ahead and have it done all at once if I was interested in the sleeve. I really hated the band, so once I did my research I was all for it. I ended up having a large hiatal hernia in the area near my band. My surgeon is Dr. Wade Barker.

I live in the Dallas area. Thanks for the compliment. WLS is not an easy road, but it is so worth it for your health.