Hawaii50

I was under my Dr.'s care for 4 days. In the hospital for 2, then the hotel for recovery for 2 days. I que'ed in customs and caught my flight home no problem. I think it was a Thursday thru Monday/Tue trip which I "worked" while I was away, luckily I am remote.

I was completely calm until I hopped up on the gurney headed for the surgery room. (in Mexico, by myself, no insurance, I KNEW I was making the right decision.) but yeah, I freaked a little, ya know a few staining tears and last ditch messages to send my husband and then lights out. I woke up scared, a little startled and was having trouble breathing. Like enough to where I got more scared cause I couldn't draw a deep breath (or any breath, but what do I know, it was like someone else said dreamlike) and all my "Spanish" was out the door, all I could beg to do was to walk. The nurses laughed. "No, no, not yet." They took my vitals and turns out my BP was super low, I had monstrous nausea and they had yet to administer any pain meds, and yeah it was painful. (I didnt have my own button, only nurses were giving the goods) The lack of breathing and nausea was still a big issue after a little while and unfortunately the "good stuff" for pain was aiding in my low BP. So I was given some pretty mild pain meds- which was in my pre-surgery plan. I originally wanted to take it easy, so that's what my doc was honoring. (dumb, I would do that different, haha) Anyways, after the first full night it was way easier! Uncomfortable type of pain, like doing a million crunches. I swiftly moved to my hotel after the barium swallow (super gross) still had some nausau but didn't take any pain meds after my discharge which was on day 4. Personally, if I ever have surgery again, I'll ask for something about an hour before and then let them know about my BP and I'll be fine. Best thing I ever did, not one regret!!

Sushi is my favorite!! I would eat it everyday if I could afford it! Haha!! I have a standing Friday night date with my husband that my sleeve has not interfered with, only changed it a bit. We used to get several pieces of nigori (fishy on top of rice) a few rolls, maybe a tuna poki appetizer, always miso and maybe veggie tempur app. Oh and beer and sake, a lot, I know!! Now...I stick to edamame as an app, (no more miso, since Soups fill me up too much) and primarily sashimi. We might get one roll and I can only eat 1-2 pieces because the rice is super filling. I ask my sushi chefs to make my rolls wrapped in cucumber instead of rice and most places actually have a 'low carb' like roll. I can eat tempura, but only 1-2 pieces, cause I would rather have the fish. My favorite is Hamachi, tuna, salmon and I'm always up to try any specials or chef rec. I will also do a bit of sake too. Nothing is like the old days as far as quantity goes, but I just refused to give this up. In fact, it's pretty fantastic on the Protein and calories.

A friend of mine shared this on FB...it's a great visual and more importantly: a GREAT message!

Wow, congrats!! Thank you for sharing, your story is making a huge impact on so many people! Just wanted to chime in and say "great job, keep it up!!"

Congrats!! Thanks for sharing all the 'real stuff' too. I am working hard on that 'self acceptance' thingy right now. Cheers!

Fantastic, you look amazing!!

Congrats!!! That was an amazing milestone for me too...cheers to many more!!

Wow!! What a great success story...keep on rockin' it sister!!

Congrats!!! You look gorgeous, loved reading the 2 blog posts. Thanks for sharing!!

I didn't start tracking ANYthing until I got past mushies to solid food. Then I would pretty much stay under 30-40 g of carbs which was easy since I was only eating 5-700 calories. Now 8 months later, I am trying to stay under 50-60 g of carbs and about 1200 cal. I'll be watching this post to see how others chime in.

You got this girl!! I am on the road 2 weeks a month, so I can totally relate! You're going to do great, you've made a plan which is the biggest mistake I think most people overlook. I now make sure I have Jerky, string cheese, Protein shakes, Atkins bars at all times just so I'm not caught un-prepared. I usually buy one of those cardboard coolers for like $5 and hit a Trader Joe's right from the airport. If I have to make a quick stop for lunch the Alfresco tacos from Taco Bell aren't that bad with some pintos and cheese, or I'll do a grilled chix sandwich sans the bread. In the hotel, I also start my day off with a bunch of jumping jacks (like a 100 or so) and make sure I get in a good 30-45 minute walk at lunch (I"ve been known to stop the car ANYWHERE for a walk break) Even though I'm usually exhausted at the end of the day, I make myself do 20 min on the treadmill doing intervals. (walk 2 min, run 30 sec, walk 2 min, run 60 sec, repeat) It's the quickest way to get my heart rate up AND get the excercise out of the way. Then you can soak all that crappy (but oh-so-good) hotel cable tv up guilt free. Good Luck, you'll do great!

Congrats! Your achievement is inspiring! So, I am only about 8 mos post-op however it has been very slow going the last few months. I decided to try My Fitness Pal and logged EVERYTHING this week and was kinda blown away at how much I had let creep back in. It wasn't much, maybe a 100-200 calories one night or two, but that basically confirmed I wasn't going to lose as much these last 2 months. It's helped me re-visit portions, quality choices and Water and excercise! I'm down 4 lbs this week, and hoping to stay on this motivation station!

I'm about 7.5 mos post op and here's my monthly breakdowns so far. *I included my 2-week pre-op weight loss in mos 1. m 1 -24.2# m 2 -11# m 3 -10# m 4 -11.4# m 5 -6.8# m 6 -5.8# m 7 -3.4# m 8 -5.8#

I just started MFP this week and already dropped a whopping 4 lbs!! I haven't seen those kind of numbers in months!! At about 7.5 mos post-op, I too was creeping up the calorie ladder and my weight loss showed...average 5lb loss/months 5, 6, & 7. I was looking for answers and I realized how many different things I was leaving up to chance. I have done WW in the past and attribute the success to tracking, then you are accountable for the good, bad and the ugly. This is just so much easier and with so many more tools at my fingertips. I also LOVE the community boards there, after 20 years of dieting, I thought I knew it all. I've learned so much in a week, it's crazy!

Yay for travelling...I'm such an addict! I travel for work too, so I was back flying about 1 month out. Take the advice of some pre-planning, I still pack some Atkins bars and beef Jerky just in case. For vacationing: I took my Grandpa on a road trip at 3 mos and we had the time of our lives! Singing and telling stories for a 4-day weekend, it was the best!! We also had a 3-week trip to Greece and Turkey planned at about 3.5-4 mos post-op and of course had an amazing time! We ate fresh, local cuisine and walked EVERYwhere! It was the first true vacation that I lost weight...10 lbs!! You'll do fantastic, Thailand is of my favorite destinations. ENJOY!!!

Congrats on your success and so glad your on the road to a great recovery! Cheers!!

I had my surgery on 3.28.11 and have lost 83 pounds! Yay, for the sleeve!! :banane58:

I'm so glad I took the advice of fellow sleevers and measured... Almost 8 mos post-op and I'm down 80 lbs and wait for it....136 INCHES!!! Take your measurements ladies and gents! :banane58:

You look FABULOUS!!! Way to go!

I stayed on mushies for a week longer than my doc originally suggested. I was more concerned with how I felt since so many things I had tried up to that point made me sick. I took it very slow and have had great results! Just do what is right for you, rest assured you WILL lose weight on solid foods.

Mine started at about the 4th month/65 lb loss mark. It was devasting no matter how much I thought I was prepared for it. I can tell the difference in my pony tail, however not any other styles. It has slowed WAY down in the last month-feels more like normal shedding now. I'm in my 8th month post-op and have been slowly losing the lbs this last 2 months. I have read that when you stop losing weight the hair loss will stop. I am finding this pretty accurate even though I still have a ways to go. No matter what, this is a way better alternative to being overweight. ;o) It'll pass and the hair will grow back!

Congrats!! You look fantastic!!

Yummm!! I just printed the recipe, I am also a Soup-A-Holic!! This one doesn't seem to have too many carbs either, I am not familar with Orzo...but it can't be too much with only a half a cup for that many servings. Thanks for sharing and congrats on your YEAR anniversary!

Wow girl!!! You look amazing, way to go! I know what you mean though about not seeing yourself as others do. I need to go dig up some old pics for a little esteem booster. Thanks for sharing and congrats!!