wannalise

I'm a huge fan, but they are something that sometimes gives me pretty bad heartburn, its hit and miss, but they are one of my favorite foods of all time and I just can't stay away.

Well this weekend I had the chance to go to California on a mini vacation, it wasn't planned and I had to really throw things together, plan foods, but I went and I had a blast. We went to Universal Studios one day, I love theme parks, but in the past I am nervous about getting on rides in case my butt and hips are going to be too tight in there. I was fine! Also I used to get horrible pain in my feet if I walked any real distance and I walked tons, my feet didn't hurt, I wasn't out of breath, I wasn't all sweaty. I ended up having a great time. It was also nice to have my vacation not be entirely about what we'd be eating next. I enjoyed what I ate, but more so I enjoyed spending time with the man I love and making new memories with him. I still have a long ways to go and so much to learn, but this journey is already worth it.

Okay, so I have not made a secret about the fact that I have struggled since surgery to make exercise a part of my life. I can make lots of excuses, but the truth is I wasn't motivated/ready to go there yet. Well, even if I'm not ready my heart and body and mental health need it, not to mention it really would be nice to get some muscle tone going. So today, I did toning with resistance bands and weights on my arms and then did half of the taebo AMPED workout. Now half may seem wimpy but I feel empowered and inspired and tommorow I think I will brave the Hip Hop Abs. My oh my!!!! This feels so good. Thanks all for the inspiration. I often think about Macmadame and how in my soul there has always been an inner athlete dying to get out. I doubt I'll ever be Iron Man ready but it is exciting to see that someone can go from where I am to where you are. Really, the world is ours to conquer! I am so excited!!!!

Frustrating but normal, the three week stall or atleast signifigant slow down happens to most. If you can put away that scale it really is good advice, not something I've been able to do but good advice. It really helps to not watch the fluctuations that happen in a day based on what your wearing, how much water you've had, etc. You will keep losing! Be patient, keep following the rules and you will get there.

So in the past two days after eating I have had the dry heaves. I think that I am eating too quickly and this will sound stupid, but how do each of you monitor your time between bites and your total meal time. It has been a rough couple days and I really need to keep my attitude in check, but these events made me frustrated and angry. After this happened the second time NO food sounds appealing and I am actually scared to eat. Your advice would be great! Thanks all.

Most surgeons consider a protein shake made with water instead of milk a clear liquid.

It just means you are full. Maybe one bite too many. We get weird signals post op. Some people get runny noses, I sneeze when I am too full. The surgeon told me that preop but I thought it sounded nutty, til it started happening to me.

I'm jealous, I haven't a good satisfying burp since my surgery. Maybe thats cuz I don't have soda anymore.

Lis, Would a resolution to this help with some of the problems you've had post op? I know that you are not to the solution phase just yet, but maybe its in a round about way good news to finally know whats going on.

Look up your BMI that is a common way to determine what a healthy weight would be. Preop I wouldn't be overly stressed about my end result. As you get closer you will know better what looks and feels right to you. Good luck!

Nikki, You have given me hope. I HATE HATE HATE what my arms have become and I do not want to get surgery on them later, but your arms look amazing. I'm gonna have to kick it in gear!!!! Great job lady, thanks for always being an inspiration.

Its been a few years since I went so I don't know if the program is all the same, but I felt like it was not adequate, even when I wasn't in very good shape I didn't feel like I was getting a good workout.

Hi Stacy! I am sorry this is frustrating. I sometimes have days where I feel like I should wake up thin, because we are really working hard, and even the results I'm having never feel like quite enough. I know that you are doing all you can. And I think its wise that you have decided not to weigh for a while. Taking measurements is a great idea, and I think creating acheiveable goals in different areas is a good thing too. (Ex. Be able to walk a 15 minute mile and gradually better times or goals about journaling, etc.) Good luck friend, I know you will make it!

Christy, I am so glad that you got the info you needed! I hope that being able to advance food stages helps you with your hunger. Anna

Christy, The acid reducers did eliminate some of that weird hunger for me. I hope it does for you! I still have more hunger than I imagined I would but it sounds like you are experiencing a lot more than I am and that would be frustrating. I don't mean to offend anyone else, but if your surgeon or NUT is telling you something that is the advice you should follow. We are only speaking from OUR experience, but they are generally dealing with hundreds of the same people and know what they are saying. Good luck!!!!

Wow! So before I went to MX I did all my preop with Dr. Cottam. He is also doing my post op. He is actually in the states one of the innovators of sleeve in general, had I known this was one of his options, I may have gone this way! My self pay was almost 10k after financing. He has kind of a weird bedside manner, but is a spectacular surgeon and his follow up is impeccable. I have a friend getting surgery from him in August, I will have to tell her about this option. Thanks for the tip!

I love Wendy's Chili! But the tomatoes in it give me horrible heartburn post op. Makes me sad cuz I used to down spicy foods like there was no tommorow!

There is nothing noteworthy to me about the staples. Your friend can talk with her specific surgeon about types of staples as there are varying qualities, and then do some research with those facts. I had a rough first couple weeks (not staple related) that I don't hear reported too often, most people really do recover quickly. As for the surgery itself, I could feel in the couple years preop that I was a ticking time bomb for health issues. I broke my foot 3 years ago from walking to my car. That was humiliating and painful and should have been a wake up call, but it wasn't, I had really elevated cholestoral in my early 20's and cried when my doctor told me that, and I knew it was a matter of time before my diabetes diagnoses came. I tried loads of things. I did an ultimate loser competition at my gym and worked my keister off, I've been a weight watchers member 9 times since I was 16 years old. I took phentramine, I took crazy over the counter stuff, I counted calories, I really did try. This has been different. I am not saying that just because I have lost more weight in a 2 month period then I've ever been able to lose on anything else, its because this time I know I CAN. It is emotionally uncomfortable some days. Yesterday I sat at work (a group home I manage) as my clients ordered pizza and my coworkers ate giant philly steak sandwiches and fries and I wanted to cry. But in the past I would have had a sandwich and a few diet cokes and it would have been my downward spiral. Now I have this reminder in my body, that says I can have these things, be it in small amounts if I want to, but generally I don't want to. The risks of staples creating problems in people's bodies are minimal I would assume. I can understand the desire to have something else, but the risk of diabetes is not a MAYBE this will happen it is all an eventuality. Please encourage your friend to join the boards and talk to some folks here as well. This has really been a miracle to me thus far. And there are others here who would say the same. Her health really is worth it.

Sorry to hijack the Tiff question, but Dr. Aceves gives the 600-800 calorie recommendation and then what percentages of your food calories should come from and according to him you should never exceed 40g of fat in a day.

I have got myself in a huge rut because I know what foods work for me and I am needing some new ideas. What foods do you like? What tricks are working for you? Thanks ya'll!

I think I've become too neurotic. I didn't realize it until support group last night, but I had totally stopped eating fruits and vegetables, and refused to eat things like pinto or black beans because I want so badly to keep my carbs low, but I think my choices are actually more detriment then help. I'm scared now to implement these things, but I also know that for my long term success (even post goal) has to include whole foods like these. I can say that, but now letting go a little bit and doing it will be a trick.

Focus hard on hydration the first couple weeks, try your best to get protein, but being somewhat deficient for a couple weeks won't be your downfall, but being dehydrated will quickly become problematic. I started out about the same way as you, spent extra time in the hospital because I was throwing up, and then when I got home I was so desperate to follow the protein rules, but my body struggled with them initally. Tiffany finally told me to chill out and go buy a couple gatorades. It terrified me to consume high amounts of carbs that early out but it really was a turning point. It is all a gradual climb, getting the protein will come. Go easier on yourself and drink every 15 minutes NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

I would just make sure that in at least the first three months post op you are taking excellent care of your throat by taking a ppi daily and ensuring that there is no acid reflux, that would be the only thing post op that I could see affecting your instrument. And yes you'll be fine at 8 weeks. You'll be a hottie with a naughty body!