Hawaii50

There is a buddy/mentor group on this forum...scroll down to the bottom and post there. I'm sure someone who is farther along than you would be happy to help you out. I don't think I would be so great as I'm only 4 weeks out and probably going thru the same as you. Wanted to chime in here to pass on the resource. Good LUck!

Who's your Dr? I've never heard that before. I was given a box of Dolikan when I was released from the hospital and only took it for a day. There was a few times that first week that I took Advil too. There are pharmacias on every corner if you need something, but I'm positive your surgeon will hook you up with everything you need. I was given an antibiotic and a few other things besides the pain pills that I took until they were gone.

Most airlines publish new fares on Wed morning after midnight and that is also the best day to search too. ie: don't do actual searches on Fri-Sun regardless of your itenerary. In addition, the cheapest days to fly in/out are on Tue and Wed. Also, look at kayak.com for multiple quotes, and I always search Southwest and Jet Blue directly from their sites. Those are all my secrets...I usually fly twice a week, going on 11 years now and I play thier game.

Some days are worse than others, but I can relate to my smells being very alert. I do get nausea everyday, some on smaller scales. Yesterday, I had to go lay down for half an hour to feel better. I think that had to do with eating too much or eating too fast though. But I don't throw up, thank god! I don't know if that's normal or not, but I feel for you girl, hopefully you'll get an answer soon or feel better asap. xx Heidi

Hey Peaches! I'm not a truck driver but I am on the road 2-3 weeks/month driving around. I was off my pain pills Day 3 and back on the road Day 6. But it all depends on how your feeling and managing your pain. Then again, it's really up to your Dr, but go in there with the right outcome attitude and he just may release you. Good Luck!

I usually do Net Carbs...from all my days either on Atkins, South Beach, The Belly Fat Cure, I think I even remember something about this from WW... You basically subtract the Sugar alcohols and Fiber from the total Carbs. A label from an Atkins Protein bar: Total Carb: 29g Fiber: 11g Sugar Alcohols: 15g Net carbs: 3g Protein: 15g (pretty good for the carbs) I agree with others, you just have to find what your body responds too. I try not too do many bars, but when I'm on the road and don't have access to cold foods, its a good sub. Plus, when I get to eat fruits again...I want to make sure I am not feeling guilty about using all my carbs on one piece. I dont' think anyone got fat eating too many fruits and vegetables.

Only you know whats best for you, however I will say you are being irrational in some of your reasons. (sorry, not be rude) The main one that pops out is the eating thing. Yes, for awhile (4-6 weeks) you will be in a liquid/mushie diet while your healing. I am in week 5 and ate egg and sausage for Breakfast, plan to have some meatloaf for dinner, throw in some pudding, or beef jerkey (actually Ostrich jerkey....much softer and loads of protein) I am a super hard worker (manual labor and dedicated)...so I am on light duty-no lifting over 30lbs until the 3 month mark...where I'll also be cleared to continue playing soccer, softball, surfing etc. The rate I was headed, there is no way I could have kept up my lifestyle into my mid-thirties much less the rest of my life! I am also a really social person hosting a couple of dinners/week, going to bbq's, out to dinner and I will tell you the way I eat now, is a hell of lot more "normal" than what I used to eat...yikes, so many calories, carbs...no wonder I was so fat! I never thought I was one to pack half my dinner away...what, not clean my plate? None of my friends even notice the way I eat....I am the same person as before so they are paying attention to what I say...not what I put in my mouth. It is normal to feel scared and anxious before surgery, I would be worried if you didn't feel a little of that. Assuming you've poured over the details of your surgeon and the forums here, you have to trust you are in the hands of professionals and they will take the best care of you! For myself....the risks of being morbidly obese for the rest of my life and all the co-mo's that go with it, far outweighed the risks from surgery. You can read posts here on a few that have indeed experienced complications and as far as I can tell, none of them regretted their decision to get surgery. They also don't blame the surgeon, the aftercare or their negligence. The one thing that I think all of us post-op sleevers regret...is not having it done sooner! You're doing the right thing by reaching out, at some point you will have to TRUST yourself, TRUST your surgeon and TRUST your friends and family that they will love and support you! Good luck, you'll make the right decision for you. xx Heidi

Congrats...you look amazing! Thanks for sharing...it sure is inspiring!!

Love the pork rind idea in place of bread crumbs...totally gonna try it! I have also heard folks take a little mound of shredded cheese and bake it, turns into yummy, crunchy, salty crackers...but no CARBS!! (or very little compared to crackers) Gonna try both for when my snack attacks!

Maybe check out any support groups in your area from the hospital where you had your surgery? ...or at the very least there is a 'Buddy/Mentor' list here, maybe just reaching out to another sleever who has similar issues as you, but farther along can provide some insight. I think we all struggle with this at some capacity...I know for me filling my time with hobbies, my sports teams, work, great friends, my doggies...keeps me on track and not so focused on food and the decisions I make. From the time I've overcome cigarette and alcohol abuse, it is a daily (sometimes hourly) conscience decision to stay clean. It's been 2.5 years and it does get easier, but my lifestyle had to change drastically and I'm not out of the woods yet. You're on the right path to seek out some help, if you need anything, send me a PM. xx Heidi

I would wait at least until your healed...so the 3 month mark. I quit 2 weeks before surgery...wine, caffeine, mj, etc. It's been 6 weeks and I honestly don't miss it anymore, I feel great every morning when I wake up and I'm filling my time being super productive, plus learning all new coping skills. I'm just going to re-evaluate in another 6 weeks and in the meantime, stay the course.

Congrats, you look happy and healthy!! Keep up the great work!

congrats, keep up the great work! Do a search in the 'help with site' section and you'll find the Ticker Tutorial. It took me a few tries, but can't explain it.

I don't think I had my first bm until about 4-5 days post op. Drink apple juice and plenty of fluids. For the next couple of weeks, I only go 1x every 2-3 days. I'm not constipated, just takes that long to work itself out. This seems to vary for lots of people, I wouldn't suggest taking anything yet either, but you can always call your Dr to see what they rec. Good luck!

Hey March sleevers! I was on the 28th and moving right along with ya! In addition to the scale, I took measurements and have lost a total of 42.75 inches!!! This is so exciting, I decided to overhaul my closet yesterday and have a huge pile of clothes that no longer fit! Figuring the food and liquid thing is a bit challenging for sure! I just moved from mushies to somehwat solids this week and it's so hard to get all my liquids in and I know I'm not even close to 60 g of Protein. Not sure how to get all the liquids in if I'm supposed to wait 90 min after eating to drink again. This is what i did yesterday: B: 1 scrambled egg with 2 tbsp milk and 1/8 c cheese, spices L: 1/4 c tuna salad with 1 tbsp mayo, 1tbsp mustard, a little olive juice, spices D: 1/2 c potato Soup (which made me feel a bit sick, not super full, just needed to lie down) S: 1/4 c shredded chicken topped with cheese (this was the insides of a enchilada w/ white sauce) The eggface blog and the South Beach diet book have some really great low-carb recipes! I did go to my first bbq party last night too: I ate before I went and drank Water w/lime all night watching my friends eat and drink...wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and was good to be out and socializing again!!

Amazing post!! Congrats to you, what an inspiration to these boards, you deserve everything you've set your mind to!! LOVE Ulta too, a fantastic way to treat yourself!!! Keep up the great work, those last 30 lbs got nothing on you girl!

I can't wait to ride my bike again! My husband and I have beach cruisers (mine with a cushy seat) and we made a summer bucket list of rides we wanna do! First up, ride across all 8 bridges in Portland!! Now we just need that elusive warm glowing ball to reappear in the sky! (seems I am answering all your posts today kemo, must be in the same frame of mind!) ;o)

This is what I got: Walking only for the first 6 weeks No baths/swimming until week 3 No lifting over 30 lbs until 6 weeks out My main concern was sports: sprinting, throwing, catching, sliding. I play soccer, softball and ultimate frisbee and he said not until the 3 month mark! (This is killing me, but my teams will still be there when I'm ready) I'm almost at the 4th week mark, and I know I'm not even ready to do any major stretching like Yoga or swimming laps or helping my husband with the 10 yards of mulch in our driveway (sorry babe) ;o) Still kinda sore on the inside, and don't want to risk pushing myself too quick.

It never even occured to me that Oprah has had *anything* done. Oh now my bubble is def busted! lol

I"ve been using Olay products since I was a kid (thanks mom) and it keeps my skin so soft, and so far no wrinkles...at 33! I agree with visiting Eggface's blog, it's awesome so many ideas!! I also have trouble getting all my fluids in, so I usually add lime or lemon slices to my water and that helps. Also just found 'Skinny Water' at Safeway, tastes life Sobe Life Water but without all the carbs. ;o) Good Luck on your journey, keep up the great work!

Congrats!!! Keep up the great work, you both look fantastic!

You look fabulous!!! LOVE the jacket and I can't wait to wear white trousers, so cute!!!

That's fantastic! Keep up the great work!

Woohoo! You look fab, keep up the great work!!

This is indeed a disgruntled coordinator war, the orginal post as well as the gossip is extremely offensive! I agree with Kelly, if you don't have first hand experience with Dr Kelly as your surgeon, you have no place to fuel the fire. With that said, my exerience with Dr Kelly (and Trish) was stellar! My pre-op, the surgery and post op have all been very positive experiences, I wouldn't change anything.