KathyM

I luv luv luv spicy hot V8!!

I am one month out and I don't have any problem drinking normally. I do have to be a little careful not to gulp because then I swallow air with it, but I can drink Water and tea pretty much like I did before surgery. Can't do that with crystal light or any other kinds of drinks. Your body will tell you when it is ready, you can try slowly drinking a little more at a time rather than sips and see how it feels. If it works, then great - if it doesn't, then give yourself a few more days or another week and try again.

I had that too for a while - it was really gross. I think it was just from a change in nutritional intake. It improved and then resolved after I started adding in alot more different kinds of foods. When it was just liquids and mushies it was worse, this is just my opinion but I kinda think that eating things with more textures helps clean that tongue off.

My BC/BS says it will "not pay for any services related to the treatment of obesity." It did however pay $27,000 for my knee replacement, it will pay for my arthritis medication, it also pays for my blood pressure medication. When I was researching my policy limits before my surgery I noticed that it will even pay for treatment of erectile dysfunction lol. It will pay for all of the effects of long term obesity - stroke, heart attack, nursing home care, etc. But nothing preventive so you don't get to that point. :thumbup1:

I was sleeved 5 wks ago today. Have been doing pretty well, and have hit that stall that everyone talks about. I too worry that I will fail at this like I have every other diet. Patience is not one of my virtues so lol, but I am trying to just take one pound at a time. Learning how much my tummy can hold has been kind of a challenge - those old habits of eating until the plate is clean can sure sneak back up in a hurry. I'm not really a puker, but I have had 3 times where I overdid it and it all came back up.:thumbup: Lately I have had some issues with head hunger - that restless bored feeling that comes when I am home alone and then want to turn to food again for comfort. Geesh! I need to get a hobby! When it's all said and done I love my sleeve!! I wish I could fast forward to next year at this time so I can see where I will be!

Kathy

Big NSV for me this weekend - Moved both of the boys back to the dorms to start college. Just like last year, we carried all the stuff in, then went to Target to pick up all of the last minute things. Last year, my knees were screaming and my feel were like fat puffy sausages that were threatening to burst at any moment. I didn't dare sit down anywhere because I knew I would never be able to get up and walk back out to the car again. This year....we carried everything in, put it away and then as I was walking through Target I realized something.... I FELT GOOD!! AND HAPPY!!! I had energy and I wasn't hurting anywhere!! We bopped back over to the college and had to run through the rain (ok, well I am still pretty big lol so I maybe more like did this weird loping fast walk thing haha) back into the dorms and finished setting up the rooms. It doesn't really seem like much when I write about it now, but it felt so good!! :nono:

lol when you put it that way, then yes it is fast loss! When I read other's posts, I am amazed at how fast some lose, but I am completely happy with how I am doing. And....my boyfriend gave me a big squeeze the other day, told me that he could feel me shrinking and that I was stunning! I was on cloud nine for days.:001_wub:

I am officially 4 weeks out from surgery today! It has been an emotional roller coaster - the decision to do it, traveling alone and being oh so scared, learning to live a new lifestyle, my changing body. Through everything I have never regretted for one second getting my sleeve. I can see that I will not be one of those fast losers lol more of the slow and steady kind but I am okay with that. With the little amount I have lost since surgery I already feel sooooo much better and people are starting to notice, telling me that I look good and that feels awesome! I am in a losing stall right now, but I try to keep focused on where I will be one month, 6 months or even one year from now and I can hardly wrap my brain around the thought of the thinner me finally making its way to the surface! I love my sleeve and I love my new life!!

I am never sure whether I should count my preop loss or not, my tracker reflects my loss since surgery. Here are my complete stats so far:

Highest wt: 308

Surgery wt: 291

Today's wt: 267

Wt loss since surgery: 24lbs

Wt loss since preop diet: 41 lbs

Yaaay for you!!! That must feel so awesome! I am just over 3 weeks out, and I can't wait till I too can be at that 50lb mark! Keep up the good work!!! :crying:

Turns out it wasn't so bad - I had 2 little smokies in BBQ Sauce, 1/2 of a deviled egg and 2 tiny cubes of cheese - I was stuffed! Luckily the ER was screaming busy so no one had time to notice. First meat other than tuna salad or deli sliced turkey, I was a little worried but it went down just fine.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I am really dreading going to work. Some of my coworkers know about my surgery but not all of them, and food is a HUGE thing where I work. People love to bring all kinds of junk to eat. I know my sleeve will prevent me from eating too much, but I was hoping not to have to take on this kind of situation so early out. Wish me luck!:svengo:

I am at the 3 week stall too. Lost 23 lbs, and there I am stuck. I think I just need to put the scale away for a bit, but once you get that taste of loosing, it is soooo hard when it stops. I keep telling myself that there is no way this won't work, I am eating only a fraction of what I used to eat and I am making good choices about what I am eating.

I am 3 weeks postop today and have lost 23 lbs and have been sitting there for days!!!! I seriously hope this slump doesn't last long, it's so hard getting that wonderful taste of losing then it just stops

Donna -

I hear you, I had to have a total knee replacement when I was 40. I had NO cartilage in that knee it was soooo painful and so awful!

Wow! you look awesome! Way to go!:thumbup1:

I have been on a prescription NSAID for years for my arthritis in my knees. I resumed it 2wks postop and haven't had any probs as of yet. Just as Tiff said, I always make sure I take it with food. I seriously couldn't live without it and over the counter medications like ibuprofen don't cut it. I am hoping I won't need it after I lose my weight.

Sunshine -

I am 18 days out from my surgery and your words could have come straight from my mouth!! Good job on all of the positive changes you have been making. I haven't grilled any chicken yet, but it sounds yummy. I think I can buy chicken "tenders" that are smaller pieces of chicken. I too can't stand the Protein drinks, and that has been a real struggle for me. Hang in there, you are doing great!!!

Tamboo

I took about 2 weeks to get my passport, but you can travel to and from Mexico 3 times without it so don't sweat it if it doesn't come in time. One of the girls in my group didn't have hers and she didn't have any problems with that at all.

Anyone who wants to can private message me or email me at kmacxx@hotmail.com and I will be glad to help you with what to expect and any questions you have. Dr. Almanza did a great job on my surgery and I have absolutely no complaints about him.

Thanks Will -

Thanks for the boost - I know this will work, I just have to be patient. Not one of my finer qualities lol:001_tt2:

BJean -

If you like ice cream, try getting the Yoplait Whips yogurt and putting it in the freezer. It is just like eating ice cream and they have a chocolate raspberry mousse that is really awesome this way!

Tiffy

That is interesting to hear that alot of people hit a stall when they go to mushies, that has happened to me, I am still losing a little but it definately doesn't just fall off like it did with liquids. I'm trying to get Proteins in first and really haven't missed the carbs too bad yet because the Protein fills me up so fast. At least I know the stall is normal.

As for the refried Beans, they were a little piece of heaven when I went to the mushies! I have only done them about 3 times, but it is really nice to have something with that flavor. Yummy!!!:cursing:

I flew to San Diego and then was picked up by the clinic and taken back to the airport. Had Surgery on Friday towards evening. Then flew home on Monday. When I got home I had to drive an hour from the airport to my house, and it was no problem at all. However I didn't need anything for pain after about noon on Saturday.

Don't get me wrong, I know that she didn't intentionally mean to hurt my feelings and I actually feel guilty at times that I could do this and she couldn't. We have discussed several options for her to be able to do this as well and I have told her that when the time comes where she can do it, I will go with her. I am a little unsure how much to share with her because there would be nothing worse than me just jabbering around about my wt loss when she continues the same old struggle. I am going to try hard to be as supportive as I can.

I have a friend who is also overweight, and we started looking into WLS together. At one point we talked about what we would do if one of us could do it and the other couldn't and we promised that we would continue to be supportive of each other no matter what. Well as it turned out, both of our insurances denied anything to do with the treatment of obesity. I was able to get a loan and have my surgery done in Mexico. My friend wasn't. Understandibly she was disappointed, but when she found out I was going she just kind of disappeared off the radar for a while. For her birthday, I bought tickets for a Muder Mystery dinner, it was night before last and it was the first "public eating" for me since my surgery 2 weeks ago. I am on the soft/mushy stage and was extremely anxious about what they would be serving. It turned out that it was a buffet - salad, scalloped potatoes, green Beans and BBQ brisket or a grilled chicken breast. When we were standing in line, I mentioned something about feeling anxious about other people at our table noticing that I wasn't eating much. She said "boy this thing is really messing with your head, isn't it?" I didn't answer, I felt kind of hurt that she said that to me, but I know she is still feeling bad that she didn't get to have the surgery like she wanted to.

At any rate, I took a small spoonful of potatoes, a small spoonful of green Beans and a chicken breast. I ate a little of the potatoes and a few of the green beans, then cut up the chicken and sort of pushed everything around on my plate. It was kind of a small victory for me that I didn't overdo it, and I was perfectly content all night. I am looking forward to when these social situations that involve eating get a little easier.

I have been stuck on the same wt for about 3 days and wonder if I am doing something wrong or eating too much but then when I am tracking my calories, which right now are usually between300-400/day I know that I have to be doing ok. I think the old feelings of failing again creep in at times. I started at 291 postop and am now at 270, I haven't been in the 260's for YEARS and for some reason that 270 is holding on for dear life! :001_tongue: lol

My friend and I have been best buds since high school more than 20 years ago. I hope this won't be a detriment to our friendship.

Just venting - thanks for listening

Kathy

Tiffy those shoes are the bomb! I haven't worn heels in years and I can't wait to be able to do that again!