tntransplant06

Today marks the day I have weighed the least in about 11 years. Last week I had the dreaded 3 week stall. Stepped on scale today and was rewarded with 2 lbs down. I am wearing clothes today that were tight a month ago and now they are baggy and I have to keep pulling my pants up. What a happy feeling. Down 27lbs as of today...surgery was 24 days ago. Doing well!! Spring in my step and tears in my eyes b/c this is actually working!! What a Happy Valentine's Day----I do love my NEW self. If you are thinking about this, it DOES work...I was doubtful, too, so glad I did it.

Nothing that I can think of! LOL. I just waited and continued doing what I was doing and it came off. It's frustrating, I know. Hang in there.

Julie, Thanks for this post. I did want to tell you, though, that you're wasting your money on the shampoo and conditioner. I am a licensed hairdresser and know that Biotin cannot be absorbed through the hair or skin. Only taken orally will it help. From Wikipedia: Biotin is necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, and the metabolism of fats and amino acids. It plays a role in the citric acid cycle, which is the process by which biochemical energy is generated during aerobic respiration. Biotin not only assists in various metabolic reactions but also helps to transfer carbon dioxide. Biotin may also be helpful in maintaining a steady blood sugar level.[2] Biotin is often recommended for strengthening hair and nails. As a consequence, it is found in many cosmetics and health products for the hair and skin, though it cannot be absorbed through the hair or skin itself. Just FYI. Amy

You may be able to take a substitute for a few weeks. I was told nothing larger than and M&M for at least 6 months. I'm taking my vitamin now (I'm 3.5 wks out) and it's a decent size...definitely larger than an M&M. I just couldn't break it in 1/2 any longer bc it kept getting stuck in my throat. So, I broke the law and took it whole. No problems whatsoever. Now, this doesn't mean I'm telling YOU it's ok to do that, ask your doc, you may be given an exception.

I totally am with you on this one, Brielle....we both just need to hang in there.

Will I ever be able to burp on command again?? LOL After I eat, I still need to take a drink of water (small) to wash it down and I get that awful I GOTTA BURP feeling, but nothing will come up. I have to wait, wait, wait and be uncomfortable for a few minutes. I feel now that if I try to force a burp, it will be puke. (Gross, sorry)

I'm at 3 weeks and HAVE hit the 3 week stall. That being said, I've lost 24 lbs in 2 weeks so I can't complain. If I don't lose next week, I will say I will be PI**ED! I am not hungry, but I do feel like I'm obsessing about food. I think about eating every hour and find myself nibbling here and there. I have to reign that in. I don't like eating a bite every 90 min. It literally is a1-3 bites of food every 90 min. I'd much rather eat 6-10 bites every 3-4 hours. I think I'm eating too many carbs but I like them and I can't eat just protein. That being said, I never eat a carb w/out a protein. (that goes back to my diabetic diet) Eating carbs alone means I want more to eat and want to eat more often. I may eat 4 TBS Tuna Fish and then eat 2 ritz crackers with it. I think that's a good balance. Same with soup, maybe 1/2 cup soup w/ 4 crackers. I haven't had bread yet as I cant' try that for 2 more weeks. I don't know that I will eat it again. Although, a turkey sandwich sounds really good.

I've had OPENED Doritos in my cupboard for 2 weeks and haven't touched ONE! And let me tell you, they used to be my trigger food...I could demolish an entire bag by myself. I have no interest in them whatsoever. Never mind I can't eat them right now (still in soft foods) but they just are repulsive to me right now.

@LOS He didn't say 3/4 cup serving, he said 3/4 serving......it may be less than a cup. @LIL the difference in the potatoes are the starch contents. Russet potatoes have a very HIGH starch content, red and white potatoes have much lower. That's why russet potatoes are used for baked potatoes b/c they disentigrate into mush because of the starch. The red and white potatoes are used for salads b/c they keep their shape. Corn is one of the HIGHEST starch content veggies there is...totally spikes blood sugars! If you want a great alternative to white potatoes, eat sweet potatoes. (Fresh, not canned) They have a much lower starch content and are very healthy.

I'm at the dreaded 3 week stall, too.

WOW!! I didn't really feel any different until I compared the pics. My husband and I had our surgeries on Jan. 20--3 weeks ago--here's the difference already! He's down 28 and I'm down 24. Make sure you take photos b/c when you think it's not working, you can see it is.

I am 2 weeks out and still baffled at how little food I am eating and yet I am not ever hungry. I just ate one egg....well not even one egg, couldn't get it all down. Yesterday at 1p, had 5 bites of thinned mashed potatoes and was Thanksgiving day Dinner stuffed until I went to bed. REALLY?? Can it be this easy? I'm losing about a pound a day and I'm not suffering in the least. That was a big concern of mine, that I'd get the "no food migraine" or nauseous from not eating. Thankfully none of that happens. Four more lbs til I'm the skinniest I've been in years....and that should happen about Sunday...woot woot!!

Isnt' that just the best feeling ever??? I was worried about my diabetes going into the surgery that it wouldn't help. Well, it did....I was off insulin after day 3. My fastings are 85-105. I can't wait to see my a1c next time!

I'm 2.5 weeks out...lost a good amount the first week I think it was 7 lbs. The next week I weighed on my own scale but the scale at doc and mine do not match. I'm just going with my scale and it put me at about -24lbs in 2 wks. I've been weighing daily for the past week and it seems I'm losing about .5lbs a day---so minus 3-3.5 a week. Sound about right? I think I like that number.

Two weeks out....just starting pureed food. I am craving crunchy foods....I put them in my mouth, crunch them up, spit them out. Ideas? Am I crazy??? I don't think this is healthy at all, but after doing two mouthfuls, the need to crunch goes away. I never swallow them, I rinse my mouth out afterwards. Thoughts?

Please know IT IS MUCH HARDER BEFORE THE SURGERY THAN AFTER!!! REALLY!! Once you have the surgery you will probably be like me and say "Really? That was it?" The night before my surgery I was like a caged animal. I could not drink my laxative b/c I kept thinking "if I drink this it means I am sealing the deal". Well after having a minor hissy-fit, I drank it and handled the rest like a trouper. I was still scared, but when I woke up in my room I was happy. Sore, a little, but mostly happy. It really isn't that big of a deal. Define what you are afraid of and maybe then you can talk yourself some logic. (Although that didn't work for me.) I just kept in my mind that I was so unhappy being so overweight and tired of worrying about my health that this was going to be my lifesaver. And so far, so good....23 lbs gone in two weeks, off insulin and no more leg pains. Trust in what you know will be the right thing for YOU.

Most self-pay is pretty quick. As soon as you have the money and get all your testing completed, it's ready to be done. Mine could've been done in about 2 months (it all depends on how fast you can get into the various docs for tests). I took about 6 months for a few reasons: To save up a little extra money, to allow my brain to comprehend what I was doing, and because it was the slow season at work when I chose to have my surgery done. It's a quick ride regardless of your time frame....enjoy the ride...the before is MUCH worse than the after!!

I was selfpay--my insurance did not let me do any kind of weightloss surgery, I had no choice. I think I'm ok with that b/c I was in charge and didn't have to jump through all the hoops I see people on here having to do. It seems like a big circus act sometimes. I had mine done in Detroit and it was only $10,500. Money well spent, less than a new vehicle.

Drink dilute apple juice...something w/ sugar but not full strength. It will work.

Looking for info....I had immediate swelling in my belly, particularly in one area....right side just under breast, rib-cage area. It's quite pufffed up above the incision. Internist looked at it before discharge and said it's Water, it will go away. My problem is, I'm having a pulling pain in that area that also affects my back muscle. It's like a muscle cramp, and that's just what I think it is. Looking for suggestions to help the water retention evacuate. It hurts if I sit upright too long, and if I lie down it goes away immediately. I called surgeon's office, explained, and they just issued a stronger pain medicine. Just take the medicine and wait it out????

I was very nervous the night before my surgery. I couldn't convince myself to drink the bowel cleanser. It was as if I drank that then I was "sealing the deal". Finally after a little hissy-fit, a lot of gagging, and a good kick in my butt by myself, I drank it. I took it at 10p. My surgery was the next day at 8:45a. Went to bed at about midnight, the bowel cleanser started to work around 2a..not explosive, thank goodness, but continued to work every couple of hours. Checked into the hospital at 5:30a. They called me back around 7a. Was lying in pre-op talking w/ docs and anesthesia and asked to see my husband before surgery. (He also was having the surgery, after me) My husband came back about 20min later and he said a quick little prayer in my ear. Talked some more to someone from the medical team and started to feel dizzy. Room was spinning...this lasted about 30 seconds. Don't know why it happened, but she wasn't concerned. Anesthesia told me they would wake me up after surgery to pull out the breathing tube...I was very worried about this..they said not everybody remembers it. Took me into surgery room, started setting me up, but a mask on my face and told me to take a few breaths...I only remember taking two. I woke up feeling pretty awful. Although, it's only been 3 days, I can't remember what was feeling awful but I remember whimpering quite a bit. (Funny thing is my husband woke up in a terrific mood no pain whatsover) The first day was rough and I used my morphine pump every 8 minutes. The pain was mostly gas. I MUST STATE that I didn't once regret the surgery during this time...just was counting the minutes for the pain to subside. The pain lessened every couple hours. And it was trapped gas that was causing the pain. The next day I did get up and walk around a few times, but the gas was still bothersome so I didn't walk as much as I should. I have some water retaining in my stomach so I'm kinda bloated. I keep getting a side cramp. Once I lie down, it goes away. Today my goal is to walk a few minutes until the cramp is too bothersome and then lie down for about 30 minutes. The pain is really nothing. I'm a 1 on 10 scale. The gas started moving out the second day and I started feeling bettter. I have a little stomache rumbling today which in the past I would have considered hunger, but I don't know that it's what it is. I drink and it helps, so maybe it's just that, rumbling. I loved my doctor and his staff was incredible. Both at the hospital and at his office. His pricing is incredible, I am self pay...I had a sleeve for $10,500 TOTAL. The hospital fee is what seems to be the big difference in fees. The hospital was the majority of the bill--$7500. So, if you want to stay in the states, Detroit is definitely worth checking into. Dr. Wood in Madison Heights, MI. If you have any more questions of me, feel free to ask. Oh, btw...I was awakened to pull the breathing tube out and the Doc spoke to me, but I remember nothing of it!!

I was told I can swallow any pills that are smaller than an M & M. Metformin is a bit bigger than that

Thank you thank you thank you for this! My surgery is Thurs, our stories are much the same and i'm afraid. I know its what I need and will be happy in a month...im just very afraid of that first month. This story makes me feel at ease. Thanks again and congrats on your success.

Just wondering if everybody did that. I'm one week away from my surgery and I'm questioning my decision and wondering if I'm making the right decision. I just can't imagine not being able to eat with my family and friends. I know that will come in time, but it's just so mind-boggling to me right not. Do you REALLY not miss it? That little voice in the back of my head sure is becoming a LOUD ANNOYING passenger! LOL

My doc knew nothing of the sleeve. I told her all that I knew and she said definitely better than RNY. Interesting enough, when I went to the surgeon here, they wanted to do RNY. The sleeve was mentioned but not really elaborated on. I called another doc out of state bc his prices were much lower and that's when I was informed of the sleeve. I was no longer afraid of the surgery. I was still very hesitant on the RNY bc of all the craziness that can happen afterwards. It was like a HUGE burden was lifted and now I'm really happy with my choice. My surgery is next Thursday. I just want it to be over so I can quit thinking about it!!