JoiaRox

Want to help the National Childhood Obesity Foundation this holiday season? Shop at https://joia.scentsy.us/ throughout the month of December and choose the "Childhood Obesity Fundraiser" at checkout - I'm donating my entire commission from this fundraiser to the NCOF in January! P.S. All orders placed by Tuesday, December 17th will arrive in time for Christmas

Have you shared this yet with everyone you know? Can I help YOU place your order? Let's work together to make a HUGE donation!!

Indulge in wonderful gifts this holiday season while making a difference in Childhood Obesity! 25% of the total sales (minus tax/shipping), my commission, will be contributed to the National Childhood Obesity Foundation by January 15, 2014.

As a former LapBander and current Sleever, I understand the long term effects of childhood obesity - and I'm guessing that many of you do as well!

To shop and contribute, simply shop online anytime in the month of December at https://joia.scentsy.us/ - upon checkout, you'll be asked if you'd like to join a party. Simply select the "Childhood Obesity Fundraiser" and your purchase will contribute to the total!

To read more about the NCOF, visit their website at http://www.ncof.org/ - let's band together this holiday season to help address this important problem in our society!

Facebook Event (join and invite your friends!): https://www.facebook.com/events/590202204369102

pumpkin pie spice can be purchased at grocery stores here in the "spices/baking" aisle...hmmm. I googled it and said it's available in the UK at stores as well!

Made this yesterday and LOVE it:

http://chobani.com/kitchen/recipes/pumpkin-pie-dip/

Out next meetup will be in Germantown again on Nov. 24th. Feel free to PM me if you'd like to be included on the invite, even without Facebook. The more the merrier!

If you'd like to join our monthly meetup support group, the next one is SUNDAY in Germantown, MD. Email me at joiajones@gmail.com for info!

Our THIRD meetup is happening on Sunday in Germantown, MD! If you'd like more information, join our Facebook group (in top post above)!

Everyone tolerates foods differently, but I'm almost 4 months out and eat popcorn on occasion with no problem...except for kernels getting stuck in my teeth

Join our local support group! We are on Facebook (search for DMV Sleevers) and we meet up once a month...last month was VA, this month in MD!

Many people have second thoughts as they head into this. The permanency of this surgery is tough to grapple with for many people, but my guess is that you got to this decision for many reasons. Perhaps it would be helpful to make a list of those reasons, then keep them in your purse? It may help to remind you when your doubt is getting the best of you.

And, for people who have been large all of their life, or at least for awhile, we're definitely scared of all of the things you mentioned above - but, is the end goal worth the journey? The journey WILL be hard. You WILL stall. You WILL probably lose hair (I haven't yet and I'm just past 3 months post-op...knock on wood). For me, though, it's all worth the end goal of a healthier, happier, longer living me!

The bad habits? That's what's fun about the sleeve - you're kinda "forced" to break many of those habits. I can't stuff myself with a plate of nachos anymore, even if I wanted to. I physically can't. I don't drink Diet Coke anymore - I wasn't allowed to have it for the first 30 days post-op because of the carbonation, and now I just don't want it. I can't eat fast. I can't take big bites. I needed the "forced behavior modification" that a sleeve provides, and I'm happy with my journey thus far!

Fears are normal. YOU make the choice whether or not to conquer them. Best of luck to you!

Welcome to VST, and welcome to your new journey! You'll find that there is a TON of useful information on this site (use the "search" feature to find topics relevant to what you want to know), but be sure to always consult with your doctor - s/he's the one that's in charge of your health...other than you, of course. Best of luck to you!

You go girl! Having a positive attitude as you begin the journey is absolutely essential to success!

Could be symptomatic of a larger issue (i.e. gall bladder, if you still have it) - definitely call your bariatric surgeon for a follow up!

If you're in the D.C. metro area, don't forget to join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/dmvsleevers/

We organize monthly meet-ups of sleevers from pre-op to maintenance! Our September meet-up is coming up on the 22nd, and we'd love to meet more of you!

I find that my tummy noises are much louder with my sleeve than it ever was with my band. As mentioned above, continue to walk and get it out as you can...there isn't much you can do, other than that, to get the gas out. Eventually, it will settle down...but the noises are still prevalent - I'm three months post-op!

While everyone's journey and recovery are different, it sounds like a normal progression. Continue to drink Water, walk, follow your doctor's instructions..and don't hesitate to CALL your doctor if you're concerned! Doctors would much rather have you call about a minor pain/annoyance and reassure you that you're recovering just fine than deal with a major crisis if something's gone ignored.

Have you had a post-op appointment yet? If not, I'd definitely schedule one in order to address all of the little questions that have popped up. I saw my doctor at 6 days post-op and felt much better!

"Weigh" to go! I continue to be amazed by everyone's progress and hope that I'll have wonderful before and after pics to show at my one year! Even with 50 pounds down now, the difference isn't too great yet - but I know it will be!

Definitely an inspiration! "Weigh" to go!

Not having a bowel movement is completely normal - I think mine came at 6 or 7 days out. If you're concerned, add some Miralax to your Water to see if that helps move things along.

As for the pain while drinking, that's definitely not a good sign. How painful is it? Regardless, I'd recommend you call your doctor as soon as possible to run it by him/her. A prolonged pain is nothing you want to mess with post-op!

I was allowed to continue with pills as I could tolerate them. My birth control pill, for instance, is a tiny pill - I was told I could continue taking them as prescribed, so I took one the day after surgery.

You have the same surgery date at myself! Interesting that you eat more calories than me and have lost 5 more pounds than myself. Maybe I need to up my calories.....just a little scary though!

Trust me, I feel like a fatty eating so much more than everyone else here...

...until I remember that my journey is my own. What works for ME is what matters (along with my awesome doc's advice!). Good luck!!

I'm always amazed at those calories...I find that I don't lose if I eat less than 1200 a day. I can easily get 1000 in per day, then work on the extra

Something to remember...you don't HAVE to tell your boss. Technically, federal HIPAA laws protect you from having to tell your boss about the nature of your medical record. Is there any way you can miss the education class instead?

I'm one that's been open with everyone - from Facebook to co-workers to friends. People will either support me and my choices or not...either way, I don't let their reaction influence my happiness.