sickofrollercoaster

Congrats! It is totally a learning process so we are all right here with you!

That is great!!! I am 5 weeks post op and have lost 22.3 pounds, isn't it great??? As Goodlife asked, what guidelines are you following in terms of your nutrition? Congrats and keep it up!

Wondering if other parents deal with this as well.... There are some very rude children where my kids go to daycare and they have made comments to my kids that my rear end is big. Now, keep in mind the kids making comments have parents who are overweight as well so I am not sure that it isn't just kids being kids however it really bothers my children. I bought a new swimsuit this week because I believe my kids should not suffer this summer by not going swimming because I hate the way I look in a swimsuit. I bought a two piece with a tankini, I am fully covered in the torso area although because of a tummy tuck 3 years ago, it is flat. The bottoms are like boy shorts, the cut looks better one me cause of my large backside and thick legs. Anyway, I came downstairs with it on because we are going swimming today. My son was almost in tears and asked what I would do if people made comments about my fat legs. So my default answer is "Sticks and stones..." Any advice for me as to what else to tell them? You know, in 4 months or so, this will no longer be an issue but I want my kids to grow up respecting people of all shapes and sizes, I hate that they are learning this type of discrimination from other kids their age.

Starting Weight: 180.6 Current Weight: 158.3 Goal #1: 160.6 (met on Sunday, 6 June 2010) Goal #2: 150 Goal #3: 140 Goal #4: 130 Goal #5: 120 Goal Weight: 110 (I am 5' tall) Total Lost: 22.3

Good for you! Glad it all worked out for the best. I will NEVER let someone tell me that I took the easy way out with this surgery. It is not easy! I will also not expect anyone who has not had the surgery to understand that it is not easy and that will be fine with me too.

I understand where you are coming from! I am in the same boat but I can tell you it gets easier!!!

Tiff, great story! I think that song surfaced in one of the Shrek movies maybe, or some other kids movie so my kids have heard that too but have not connected the words just yet... I think one thing that scares me is my 8 year old daughter. She has a cute little figure now but I can tell between her and my 7 year old daughter that she will be more likely to have a weight problem. Lately I noticed that she inhales her food, it takes her no time to eat at all. I have tried to encourage her to eat slower and I can tell that there are times she does recognize this. She is a little gymnast and dancer so she is active but her eating habits scare me. I know it is up to me to make sure she develops good habits. My 7 year old eats hardly anything at all and my 8 year old boy eats well and alot of times skips dessert or candy at the movies. Anyway, that was an aside but another concern about my children developing good self image and respect for others...

Hey Ladies, I am almost 5 weeks post op and still get winded. I live in a 3 story townhouse and laundry is on the bottom floor (did I mention I am a single Mom and have 3 kids???) so I have enlisted my children's help in doing anything that involves climbing stairs and carrying things. I find that I have more energy in the morning. I work full time outside the home so during the week, lots of chores just do not get done and I have had to accept that for the time being (I am a clean freak normally and can't leave my house untidy). I have accepted that the laundry, the dishes, the vacuuming can all wait until the weekend. You will gain some energy back once you can switch to more regular, high Protein foods but I think with any surgery and being adults, recovery is a long process. Just because our incisions and drain holes have healed, doesn't mean WE are healed, it just takes time. I can say that my weight loss and progress are slow and steady and I am so glad I made this choice to change my life. I have had days where I did not know how I was going to adjust to the very little food I am able to eat but my body has shown me that I don't need all of that food to survive and in fact, the protein first, everything else after is how I eat everyday. I am eating better than I ever have. One of the best things about the Sleeve is that if you feel that you have had a bad day, maybe you didn't follow the plan well one day, you wake up the next morning and guess what, you get to do it again, the Sleeve will be there everyday for you to start over! And messing up now is not an entire chocolate cake, it might be a few bites if that! Even on days when I might lick the Peanut Butter off my finger from making my kids a sandwich and feel bad for that, I still see a loss (when before the sleeve, I would have had at least a few tablespoons of peanut butter and God knows what else before I stopped and then feel horrible and see the scale go up). Congrats to everyone for taking this step to a healthier, happier you! So glad we are all here to support each other! I certainly benefit everyday from reading your posts and sharing my experiences! Have a great Sunday!

What a wonderful milestone! Congrats and keep up the amazing work!!! Can't wait to join you! Enjoy your success!

Thanks everyone. We did have a great time at the pool and my son was more worried about the comments/looks than I was. I have never been the smallest woman at the pool but have also never been the biggest. The most troubling part of the comments that are made at daycare is that they are from kids that are old enough to know better. Great idea to explain that we are all different and people come in all shapes and sizes!

Congrats and welcome! On incisions, mine healed in about 3 weeks, now they are very faint scratch looking scars. If you had a drain, that took a little longer but I am less than 5 week spost op and all are healed and barely visible. Tiff is correct, concentrate on staying hydrated, you will have time later to count the carbs, calories, fat, etc. If you are drinking clear Proteins, that is a great way to get your liquids and Protein in at the same time so great plan! I did not use my pain meds too much after surgery. It did take me about 2 weeks to really feel comfy laying on my side in bed at night so the pain you talk about waking up in the morning could be the way you are sleeping. I am a side/stomach sleeper. It almost felt like something was shifting inside when I was not on my back right after surgery. I sleep with a body pillow (kind of hug it, better than the soon to be ex-husband for sure!!! lol...) and that seemed to help with the awkward feeling I got on my side. You will do great, just take it one day at a time! That is one thing I am thankful for with the sleeve! Even if you feel you did not do everything right one day, the next day is a new day cause you still have the same tool to help do all the right things. It is amazing. I lost alot at first but I still consistenly lose about .2 pounds every day to 2 days. Keep us posted on your progress!

Mini, isn't it amazing how we view ourselves MENTALLY even though PHYSICALLY we are changing? Congrats!!! That is a great Victory! And kudos to your hubby for insisting on you showing off and feeling great about your success! I can't WAIT to be back in my 10s, 8s, 6s and finally 4s!!!

Maddie, Yeah! You are home, thank goodness!!! Hope to chat with you soon!

Got on the scale this morning and I am exactly 20 pounds down, tomorrow is my 4 week surgiverary! I really do believe in myself and my sleeve! Funny thing, have no internet on my computer so can't track my food like normal for last 2 days and it really bothers me not to have that. I took my daughter to a festival yesterday (she is a tiny miss queen for her county school system so she was volunteering) and we were serving food. I was able to eat some lean beef and a few forks of corn and green Beans. Passed up dessert but had a few bites of Madi's chocolate ice cream. Of course I was afraid I might have sabotaged my diet after that but I am learning that something in moderation is not going to hurt me. Thanks for all of the support here, it has been so refreshing and reassuring. I look forward to the next 20 pound goal!

Stacey, can't wait to see your success on the 21st!!!

Thanks for the report! I am sticking to the low carb, high Protein and seems to be working ok for me. This week I am going to add some exercise but it will just be walking as I am not released to do anything like the elliptical until 2 months out. You are doing great!

Starting Weight: 180.6 Current Weight: 160.1 Goal #1: 160.6 (met on Sunday, 6 June 2010) Goal #2: 150 Goal #3: 140 Goal #4: 130 Goal #5: 120 Goal Weight: 110 (I am 5' tall) I have found that sticking to the plan of high protein and low carb is working for me. I am wearing a size 10 dress pants and a size 12 jeans currently. My biggest goal will be to wear shorts and feel comfortable, that is when I will truly feel I have arrived! Happy Monday everyone!

Guidelines from Dr. Aceves states: Minimum or Target: 70 grams Protein Maximum: 800 calories Maximum: 60 grams Carbs Maximum: 60 grams Fat I am working more along 60 protein, ~650 calories, 30 carbs and 30 fat. Only issue I am having right now is that i feel like the balance is not correct. I understand that 70% of my intake should be from protein but I am only achieving about 50%. I think I know my problem, my Protein shakes are 10 grams fo fat each and I drink two a day. I also tried to incorporate cheese but that too is high in fat. Ok, so I don't want to stress but I have not lost in several days and feel that since moving to this mooshie stage, the fat content has affected my ability to lose. Any suggestions would be great!

Great post! 1. Having much more confidence when conducting business at work. 2. Being a positive influence on how my children eat. 3. Walking around a pool in my swimsuit instead of staying horizontal on the loungers. 4. SHOPPING!!! and being able to wear the same clothes for seasons to come. 5. Taking dance classes, dancing again! 6. Not feeling my inner thighs rub together when I walk. 7. Wearing more shorts, less Capri pants. 8. Working out again, maybe even running a half marathon! I am sure I can think of many more!

Tiff, you are a true inspiration! Save those pants, I am sure you will want to pass those on to ME when I get there!!! ENJOY this day! You have worked SO HARD to get here!!!

All great advice, thank you!!! I have just come to the conclusion that I really need to focus on my Protein and once I have that and making good choices on the right kind, the carbs and fat will not be too high. Looks like I am back on a losing trend, little by little. I have that 20 pounds down by one month post op goal in my head and 4 more days to accomplish, so maybe I need to be happy with 18 and Celebrate early!

congrats!!!! now, wear your helmet and be safe!!! Ugh, I am waiting to hit the first 20, hoping before my one month surgiversary which is Monday... no bikes for me, i am getting a haircut and hilights to celebrate!

Oh no!!! I wish I had some advice, just letting you know I am praying for you!!!

Ok, I have been given my guidelines for Protein, calories and carbs but have not heard about how much fat we should limit ourselves to. So I have not really paid attention to it but as I get more in tune to what I should be eating and how to meet the minimums/maximums of the other three, wondering what I should be limiting to. Any advice? Thanks!

Dee, that is great! I had my surgery by Dr. Aceves on May 10th and so far so good. May I ask how much weight you have lost? Yay to the last 5 pounds!!!