Becca

I've pretty much told all the major family members, most of my good friends, and my co-workers all know (because you know how you tell one person and suddenly everyone knows). I have found for people who have asked about my surgery to just say I have a smaller stomach. Once I go into the sleeve, they think it is some kinds of device on my stomach and it takes forever to explain. I just say yes, my stomach is smaller and I can much less than I used to. It's been working well for me, especially at work since it is obvious I can't eat like I used to. I really feel like people will know something is up once you start losing lots of weight anyway, so why hide it? If I can help someone, I don't mind talking to them about it.

So happy for you!! You are looking so great!!

Congrats!!! The first day was not fun for me either, but I felt pretty good by day two. My doctor said I can do arm/leg workouts with weights at four weeks, just no abs until 8 weeks. I am hoping to go back to the gym next week. Awesome job on your weight loss!

Love it!!! You look hot!!!

I have a hard time with the taste of protein shakes, but I do really like the Premiere brand. They sell it at Costco and Sams. I love the already made ones. They taste just like chocolate milk and only have 5 carbs/ 30 grams of protein. You can buy a tub of powder, too.

My doctor said leaks can develop anytime the first 8 weeks. You have a healing staple line and you must be careful. My doctor is very experienced and he was the ONLY doctor who would even operate on me for a revision with all my complications. The first step is asking your doctor for his/her stats. How many leaks, etc? After you find a good surgeon, then you must do your part to eat correctly so your stomach can heal. I know that all of our doctors seem to say different things about healing time, but how could your stomach really be healed after one or two weeks? My incisions on my stomach aren't even all the way healed at three weeks. (Just a thought). Good luck with your surgery.

I am so, so sorry. Don't give up hope. Your body may just need more time to adjust. I know some people have lost by increasing their calories. I track every single calorie and carb on My Fitness Pal. Maybe that will help. My doctor always says to increase protein if you stall. Hugs and we are here for you always.

After years of over eating and being obese, I don't really miss food that much. The weight loss on the scale is so worth it! That is so awesome you are getting your sleeve now. You will love it!

I don't like the taste of coffee as much as I used to and I was a coffee addict before surgery. I do sometimes want it especially if it's cold and my doctor allows it. I just put lots of milk in it with splenda and it tastes pretty good. I don't "have" to have it like before surgery though.

I nver really had success with Weight Watchers. I think the points are just too much for me to keep up with because I am so busy. I really like My Fitness Pal. com. It tracks your calories, carbs, etc for free. Almost all foods are on there, even restaurants. I keep very acurate track of my calories there and it is unreal how many calories are in some of the food you eat. I have had the most success with low carb diets. I wish you the best with your pre-op diet. I know it will be hard , but the sleeve is so worth it!

Well if it's liquid fat, I guess I should be celebrating! LOL

You look fantastic! Way to go!!!

I had the band and I 100% back what TIffykins said. If you do lose weight, you will more than likely gain it back. I have had just about every complication there is and I feel so much better to have that thing out of me. I love my sleeve. At ten years out there are studies from other countries that say the band has a 85% failure rate. If I had known about the sleeve when I had the band, I would have picked the sleeve in a heartbeat. You are putting a foreign object in your body and you have no idea how your body will respond. Plus, you can get a defective band like I had and have all sorts of issues. Right before my revision, I could barely swallow. I wish you the best with your decision. I went into my lapband surgery with high hopes, yet it let me down in every single way. On the other hand, my sleeve has been exactly what I wanted. I have restriction and control over food.

One piece of pizza isn't so bad! You shouldn't feel guilty. I ate a Jolly Rancher a co-worker offered and I was so mad at myself when I calculated it in my calories and it had 6 carbs! Pretty silly, but I know how you feel. It is a learning process and we can't be perfect all the time! : )

Thanks! I will have to make this. Yum!

I am about the same place you are. My total loss is 15 pounds and I have been "stuck" for a few days. I was exhausted this week after returning to work, but now no more excuses- I will walk on the treadmill everyday!!!

Woohoo! Congrats!

Someone posted a recipe for some cauliflower crust pizza that I want to try once I am on solid foods. I hope it is good! You can get the recipe just by searching online.

Both of two lowest incisions sit right where my waist line is on my pants. On Friday, I was wearing jeans and I guess it was rubbing against them. One of the incisions opened and some Fluid (and a little blood) starting running out. I cleaned it and put anti-bacterial ointment on it. It seems better, I just wanted to know if anyone else had happen. What did you do? I don't want to get an infection. I am almost three weeks post-op. Thanks!

I had one and I hated it! Although the pain meds knocked me out most of the first day, so I don't remember much. When I did wake up, I BEGGED them to take it out!!! I was fine after that.

I wish you the best. I am so happy after getting rid of my band and getting the sleeve. I did the opposite. I had my band In Mexico and then had my sleeve here since my insurance took off the exclusion. You will do fine in Mexico. The sleeve is so worth it. A friend of mine used Dr. Alvarez and had a great experience. He even wrote a sleeve book so you might want to look into him as well. He has a Youtube sight with lots of his patient's stories.

My labs will be at three months, too.

I hope this will help...I HAD the band and within a year it had a leak and stopped working. Then the tubing broke (major hellish pain) and I had a slip (hurt to swallow). Not to mention sliming up at random times/ places and being hungry all the time. Now I have the sleeve. I LOVE it. I have restriction, I don't throw up, and I' m not hungry. I have lost 15 pounds in three weeks. Pretty easy decision!!!

Thanks for sharing your story! Very motivating! I am so happy for you.

When I watch anything with food, it causes my head hunger to go crazy. Hopefully this will go away when I get to eat real food again!