juliarh

I chew everything 25 or more times -- doing that has helped me avoid overeat and the dreaded throw up feeling I get when that happens.

Right after surgery, I had one a week for like 3 weeks. Then one a month later. Then one in December, and I'm scheduled to have one at the end of February -- so not many -- my dr. just wants to make sure I'm losing weight well and everything -- I don't really have much to say to him because I'm doing great and losing weight . . . .

We are just speedy loser here, aren't we?? Congrats Cherice on the 2.6!! that's very awesome, nice steady weight to lose -- wish I could do it every time (hate that one week every month where I gain!) Irene you get the biggest loser award this week!! 3.6 lbs is incredible -- keep it up, girl!! I am at 210.4 today -- loss of 3.2 (not quite the loser Diva is ) -- but I'm happy -- almost into the single digits!

Hi Melissa -- I'm 5 months out and I eat red meat almost every day --

Hi Shanny! Welcome -- I'm so glad the surgery went well and you've got great support with your son and girlfriend 1 - drink w/o sipping: about 5 weeks (everyone's different) 2 - stomach gurgling: (sometimes it still does when I've forgotten to eat!) -- about 3-4 weeks 3 - diarrhea: I had it about 3 weeks (liquid diet/mushy diet) -- at about 4 weeks I was "normal-ish" Again, welcome to our great community

Awww, thanks!

ahahahahahahahahahaha!

You definitely have my prayers -- I'm so happy you're looking at this glass half full And I'm excited to hear about the results! Please let us know how you're doing, ok??

Yeah, I know, it's pretty great, isn't it?

Rootman, you are soooo right -- the longer I work at this, the more I realize that my eating is probably never going to change that much. I have an issue with carbs and that issue will probably always be there -- for others, carbs may not be an issue, but for me it is -- and so, I'm ok knowing that I probably can never eat many again in my life without gaining weight. That's the sacrifice I'm willing to make to be healthy

Ok, late start for me Breakfast wise, but I will pull through, dammit! b: cheese (3 oz) and yogurt l: ham and cheese roll-ups (no bread, just the ham and cheese) granny smith apple d: meatballs (yum!) and salad So that's the plan -- let's see if I make it Oh already had 32 oz. of Water and did an hour and half worth of exercise -- so half way done with the water and done with the exercise!

Thanks Amy -- figures. But now that I have it, I may as well use it

I love eggs too -- so I think it's just a per person thing -- not across the board.

Fit, I too am rooting for you to kick cancer's ass!! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts, but am so happy that you're remaining so positive!! You're an inspiration Keep us updated on what's happening, ok?? BIG HUGS!!!

Hi!! I have meds that I MUST take (not related to my weight at all) -- and I could not swallow them after surgery (I think because I had my hiatal hernia repaired) -- luckily they are not slow release pills -- they are just standard pills. So, I melted them in Water for the first couple of weeks -- it took forever for them to dissolve, but I'd let them soak for about an hour in a little cap that comes with liquid medicine -- and then swallowed the mixture -- it was NASTY, but I got my meds in. That was most important. Then after a couple of weeks, I could swallow pills again. I hope that helps!

Hi Brielle! Big big hugs Listen, the first month or so, your body is adjusting to its new tummy -- it's still healing, you might still be swollen. And, a lot of people (including me) have had stalls around the 3rd week or so. Not a biggie. Stalls happen -- it's our body's way of adjusting to the fast weight loss -- most human beings lose weight in kind of a stair step way. Lose, stay the same, lose, stay the same. So, that said, I don't think you had the surgery at too young an age -- I think you're just going through the normal process that most of us have gone through. Keep on doing the good work with the food -- that's the most important thing -- we all need to change our approach to food and exercise -- if we can do that, then we WILL definitely lose the weight The sleeve is just a tool that makes it easier to do that Hang in there!! I'm rooting for you!! I KNOW you'll make it!

:lol: too funny!! My hubby was there in 2009 for a year - so I get where you're coming from (in all senses! ) Phone and Skype work wonders Are you going back to the States??

I've been taking 20mg. of Nexium since surgery every night. When I've run out of Nexium, I get outrageous heartburn -- so, I'm just staying on it. Don't even see the need to go off of it.

Love that Irene -- beautiful! Hi Shaundra! Irene is so on target -- I GAINED every single pound I lost pre-op -- I was so upset -- 16 pounds!! That's a lot. But the very next 2 weeks I lost 24 pounds -- go figure. Then I stalled for 2 weeks. Then I started losing at a nice steady rate. I have lost and I have gained since then. Right now, you're probably swollen and your body is retaining Water to heal itself. The key to remember is that this is NOT a race -- it's more about getting the process down. Eating right, drinking your water, and exercising (when you're able to). It's not about the scale (which just is a machine and can't tell you whether you're doing things correctly), it's not about anyone but you -- So, enjoy this journey -- it will open your eyes to a whole new you -- I have never been happier, never more active, never more myself than I am right now! And you will be there too -- guarantee it! Take care and lots of hugs -- I'm so excited that you've started this great process!

Hey I like this thread -- I have trouble getting everything in, so maybe this will hold me accountable: For Monday: Breakfast: 4 oz. of mozzarella cheese (I'm on a cheese kick) 6 whole wheat crackers 1 granny smith apple Lunch: Leftover steak (3 oz) Granny smith apple Dinner: T-bone steak (4 oz) mixed salad Snack: more cheese Exercise: did an hour and a half of golfing yesterday -- I was sweaty! Water: 64 oz -- should have been more because of the exercise, but at least I got the minimum in!

wow!!! the difference is amazing!!! I showed your pics to my husband and his jawed dropped Well done!!

You know, I have had more people say to me, "just one won't hurt" "eat this, just once" -- I always say HELL NO!! I'm not going back to where I came from -- my doctor scared the bejeezes out of me when he told me about a patient he had given the sleeve to and she gained EVERYTHING plus some back -- by eating chips, drinking sodas, etc., etc. I WILL NOT GO BACK -- you will have to drag me kicking and screaming. It almost killed me being so obese, why the hell would I trade momentary pleasure of eating a chip or what have you for the hell of being obese?? Thanks so much for sharing Doug!! Fair warning to us all!

WOW!! All I can say is that you don't look ANYTHING like you did before-- I would NEVER have put the current you with the past you in a million gazillion years -- seriously!! BIGGEST HUGS EVER AND HUGE, HUGE CONGRATULATIONS!! So so so proud of you

I KNOW -- been there, done that --