swizzly

My sleeve loves everything her full-size counterpart liked. My sleeve hates only the same things her full-size counterpart hated. I can eat anything and I never lost my hunger -- but I am still successful...because sleeves rock.

Well done you! Looking fab! I have a terrible turkey wattle neck and I despair of it ever getting any better. Oh well, small price to pay. Cheers!

Quest bars are the best!!

I suddenly developed hypertension a couple of years prior to my surgery, but it was the main reason I decided to do WLS. I was off the medication for blood pressure about a month or so post-op and my BP has been well in normal range since then. Yay!!

I have to say this, and I hope you won't be offended, but that seems like the worst of both worlds to me. Have you read this thread about complications of Plication? I would be leery of that procedure anyhow, given the early feedback in addition to lack of long-term data -- and adding the band in just seems like it would increase the potential for permanent damage to your stomach. I'm sure you have good doctors advising you, but it never hurts to be super informed. Good luck anyhow.

Wow, those knees look fab!! A remarkable difference already!!

LOL...Raine, I'm not from Brooklyn, I'm from laid-back L.A., but let me tell you, I'm a fighter not a lover. I have had a LONG, HARD journey to learning how to not always fight, so my instincts all totally agree with you. LOLOL. I usually only practice my non-combat policy at work, though. :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

In my opinion and experience, the best way to deal with a-holes like your work 'colleague,' forensikchic, is to get (or pretend you have) a super thick skin and just permanently ignore her. Not blatantly on the outside, but on the inside, where everything she says is like water off a duck's a$$. And on the outside, you're calm, pleasant, a placid and serene lake on a sunny day. You smile and interact with her like butter couldn't melt in your mouth. Never let her see she's getting to you in any way...that's the way to win these types of interactions (not that it's a zero-sum game, but people like that tend to see it that way). Like any bullying abusive person, getting the energy back from you so that they know they've hit their target is a lot of their payoff. So don't give them a red cent emotionally speaking. It chokes off the negativity of the interaction at its source. GOOD LUCK!!!

I think I have been very lucky so far, in that none of my actual friends has changed how they act toward me, and they've been really supportive. That said, I'm not nearby most of my friends, so they are only dealing with me in theory, rather than physically face-to-face. I hope it doesn't change things or make them awkward, but I will cross that bridge when I get there. I will also do my best to keep the relationship going if I think it's worth it, and to minimise any discomfort if I am able to. That all said, it's a VERY good point about not bending over backward for people anymore. I've become much more likely to speak my mind, not hide negative feelings, and not pursue friendships that seem to be too one-sided. Life is short, I only want REAL friends. Anyhow, HUGS to all you going through this on a daily basis. It's not easy for your body to be a battleground...really shouldn't be that way.

Oooh, those jeans are super cute!! I can't believe how big our old 'big' clothes are, can you?? What always shocks me is HOW MUCH THEY WEIGH. I had a whole high stack of my new smaller trousers and a 'stack' of three pair of my old size 20s...and the big stack weighed less to pick up than the three pair of big ones did. Blew me away. I also put a pair on and COULD NOT BELIEVE I used to fit in those. Seriously. I guess I really didn't realise how big I was. TRIPPY. Anyhow, loving your size 0 goal, I've no doubt you'll make it. And those jeans will look hot on your great backside too.

Meggie, that is AMAZING!! Well done you!! :-)

I have been getting a few minor comments here and there, but mostly I am lucky to be in a location where it's not very socially acceptable to ask personal questions or make comments. But I can tell some people are thinking certain things...and I genuinely couldn't care less. People's opinions are irrelevant to my life, unless they're good friends or family...and even then I'm fine with disregarding anything rude they might say (on purpose or on accident). Women's bodies are always considered public property in a way, to be looked at and talked about; I'm a feminist and I'm not okay with that. It's my body and anyone who doesn't like anything about it can piss right off. I'm always nice in response to rudeness, but I give it no ground whatsoever.

Yes, drink slowwwwwly!! I have been having wine here and there since a couple months post-op, it's allowed in my program. But it's sometimes a bit hard on my stomach AND I get way worse hangovers than I ever used to, and off a very small amount. But I do have wine at social occasions and just keep it to a minimum for the most part.

That's awesome. :smile1:

I've been hungry since two days post-op, and I'm still hungry to this day. Never lost the hunger, alas. But I did get fuller on 'real' food than on mushy stuff, so after a meal, I would be full again for at least 2-3 hours...at which point it was anyhow time for my next meal or snack. But when you are feeling hungry and it's not time to eat, I find that hot tea or coffee (both with milk in) takes the edge off and makes you feel like you've had some nutrition. Yeah, that and just drinking a lot of liquids has always helped me. And Gavison from time to time. Good luck!

I *personally* find stalls to be completely unrelated to what I'm actually eating (assuming that I'm not eating cakes and candy all day LOL!). My program requires carbs, preferably with every meal, so I do eat them, though I eat less than my Nut would like. I also eat like 1200 cals per day, have done for months now. I'm a slow-ish loser, but I'm not too fussed about it, I'm still losing and I'm not in any huge hurry. I have had several major stalls, like 60 days one time. It's just a stall though, it does move again, I believe that physically it's bound to. Some people do like to 'shock' their system by upping or lowering calories or eliminating or adding carbs, etc. I personally think that just moves things temporarily and then you stall again later, so I kind of just believe in outlasting the stall rather than trying to outsmart it...if that makes any sense. :biggrin: Probably not too helpful, but that's just my perspective...

I haven't heard much good about the band, and where I live they don't even do it anymore because it has too low a success-to-complications ratio. Also, the sleeve rocks!

I didn't have to do a sleep study so I've no idea if I had/have apnea, but I think I don't. Anyhow, pre-op I had hypertension, which resolved in a month or so post-op, so I was off the meds for it by two months I think. It's great!!

I have a pair of Levi's size 6 jeans that fit, so I've also been wondering if they may be a bit vanity-sized LOL. But you will be in those 4s in no time, I'm sure. And I can't wait to see how the lipo went!! Here's hoping the lack of killer pain stays the same for the next few days!! :biggrin:

You look hawt. Just totally hot, full stop. Dammit woman, we are the same height but I weigh like 15lb less than you...but you are just waaaayyyy slimmer and better-shaped than me. I'm jealous of your great rack, your badonkadonk (I wish I had even a little bit!!) and your awesomely awesome collarbones and smooth neck. I AM JEALOUS, okay? I admit it!! LOL. Anyhoo, congrats on your continued awesomeness and I love how you share your progress and photos with us. Yay you!!! ETA: Oh yeah, and you totally wear smaller sizes than me. :ciappa: EATA: That emoticon I just posted has a way nicer a$$ than I do. :incazzato:

My nut eval wasn't a clearance, just a consult and an evaluation of me as pertaining to food and diet. She was mostly asking about my usual eating habits, in very detailed ways and then she categorised my 'problem' areas (eg, emotional/stress eating, carb addict, etc.) -- and the categories were extensive and a bit hilarious. Turns out I am an 'over-eater' (um, duh?), but mostly meaning too big of portions at one go, and a 'charcuterie eater,' meaning I'm a bit too fond of things like salami, bacon and Slim Jims. LOLOL. My nutritionist is seriously super cool and very helpful and supportive. I wouldn't sweat it, I don't think they normally have to 'sign off' on your surgery, just consult with you beforehand and afterward. Good luck!!

Haha, I don't think you're a slow loser -- but that's because you're losing at the same rate I have been, and I think I'm doing awesome. :biggrin: Seriously, you look great and there's a MAJOR difference between your two photos, including in your face (I also have a round face and took a while to lose the extra chins LOL). FWIW, I stalled for two months from month six to eight and then started losing again. It can't fail if you keep to your good practices, the sleeve totally works. You're doing great!! :smile1: PS: My hair still looks like thin wispy crap LOL, I hope it starts to improve one of these days.

I -- and plenty of other people who've had the surgery -- didn't have a pre-op diet at all and did just fine, so I don't consider it dangerous per se. That said, if your surgeon requires it and you haven't followed it, they may be quite strict and not do the surgery. Good luck.

Looking GOOD!! I'm quite jealous of that rack, lady. And your legs make me cringe in pain, but I can totally see the difference already. Go YOU!!!

VSG does have slightly higher risk of leaks (very slight) because it's sewn along the long line of the stomach, leaving just more physical space where a leak could happen. That said, the risk is still very, very low. See HERE for updated info about sleeve, and a comparison of the three main WLSurgeries.