Ms Lady in NC

I have a family that loves to eat out at least 2 times a week. I have went out with them and ordered soup or just unsweetened tea if I was not hungry and wanted to ask my fellow sleevers what are some good places to eat at that allows us to eat from the kid's menu, has great options on the menu if not, and etc...

Like you, I am in dire need of a new wardrobe but refuse to slurge just yet. I buy undergarments as needed but found out after my first month how silly it is to spend hundreds on clothes for a few weeks only to repeat the cycle all over again. But being a female, doubt I could wait that long. I usually go to Ross or Marshalls and shop in the clearance section for basic colors or styles. There is also a consignment store I take my clothes to now and because I am a thrifty shopper, sometimes get more than I paid for an outfit and go buy a new size that way. I just can't seem to handle the "droopy" look in my pants but can get away with tops or skirts for a couple sizes if I buy them a little more tight fit in the beginning. I say treat yourself to at least 1 outfit every new size, if for nothing other than having it in case you need to go somewhere and not look so bad in unfit clothes.

I started the day after surgery. My coordinator Laurie was surprised to hear of me walking stairs and all the floors the next morn after surgery so after my leak test and a few hours of rest at the hotel, we hit the streets LITERALLY. We walked up and down the streets of Tijuana for a good 8 hours enjoying all the festivities and culture. Then a few days later at home I used my treadmill at home until that got boring and I went back to my gym where I have been since I was 2 weeks post-op. I mainly used the treadmill and bikes for a few weeks then went on to light weights and the dreadful stairmaster to finally back into my fav...boxing. I was told to basically do a little at a time to work your way back to where you once were and in a few weeks I was. It really all depends on you and your body. Pushing yourself before time will not get you to your goal any quicker so just remember to do what your doctor says. Good Luck!

You go girl!!! I am celebrating with you and know exactly how good and bad it feels. But just remind yourself you are doing this for you and not anyone else. As for the amount we need to lose, who cares? We all needed to and are or did so I doubt any of that matters to anyone here. Just enjoy the ride and work on the next thing for haters to talk of you about like maybe where in the world you got that new outfit from or what nerves you have to wear those skinny jeans or new hairstyle lol.

CoNgRaTs!!!!! Try to take the time between now and then to relax. I know me and a few friends that had the surgery all worried ourselves to death and stressed over the what ifs. Do you have a pre-op diet to do?

I was wondering what everyone's goal was around the area and if there was a plan besides surgery you had to meet it? I know before I had surgery and came back to my daily life I had plans to exercise and do everything by the book. But as we all know that is not easy to do as we would like. I have not went to the gym in the 2 months I have been post-op but I do try to exercise. As for my meals, they are few and far from the "book". I eat healthy yes but I know not nearly enough. I can go all day til 8 in the evening and not eaten a thing. I am geting better but not close to the 5 times a day rule. I am down but know that it would be further along if life were as easy as I wished. The pre-op diet I did for 3 weeks before was a cinch compared to post-op. Anyone else having probs sticking to anything?

I guess I will start... My name is Regina, I am a 34 yr old wife, mother of 4, sister, daughter who is originally from NC. I had my surgery in Tijuana, Mx on April 8, 2011 by Dr. Ponce DeLeon. I am hoping to lose almost 150 pounds total but will settle for 120. I own a few small businesses and have a passion for music and handbags. I am a Blue Devil, Pittsburg Steeler, Boston Celtic, Dale Jr. sports fan though I have been too busy so far this year to really watch them on tv. I am happy my surgery went well and hope my weight loss is as successful.

I made this group private to give us a place to come and feel free to say whatever without feeling judged. We all are from NC so that is one automatic connection that will hopefully lead into a true support group. I hope no one is offended by my doing this but if you are please let me know and if the majority is, I will change it.

I had Dr. Jaime Ponce DeLeon @INT Hospital in Tj, Mx. I wiggled the price down to $4500 so including airfaire and expenses I would not pay more than $5k. He was above excellent and he even came to check on me at the hotel. He also made my sleeve extra small per my request. I could not be happier and had a lot of fun with my coordinator.

Hi Kim, Welcome to the group! Glad to hear you have your family's support and best of luck in your last month of dieting. Before I went across the border to have my surgery, I looked into other options here and those diets really surprised me. I salute you for staying on task. The few weeks I was on it was not hard but I doubt I could of stayed as faithful as I was for 6 or more months Keep us up to date and feel free to interact however you like. I really do hope we become an active, close knit group.

I know the economy is getting better but a lot of people really can't afford to buy a new wardrobe every size they lose. You can also swap anything else pertaining to weight loss like recipes, supplements, etc.(as long as it is legal) I will start... I have a lot of clothes that are getting too big for me. I have about 20 or more pieces of size 3x and 24W clothes. Some are for taller women but most are average. I even have a few that I never wore. I would rather only give summer clothes now since you will probably not need winter clothes. I also have some size 11 and 12 shoes (hey, at 6'0 tall I would tip over in a size 6 shoe lol) that I am looking to give away. I am gonna shop regardless as hubby is finding out lol, so nothing is needed other than a I live in Greensboro and you can pick them up or have them shipped. All have been washed or dry cleaned but may need to be re pressed from being in storage.

I chose the sleeve because I wanted to lose the weight and keep it off with the aid of something permanent like surgery. I really loved the idea of the DS but not the risks it held and hated the RNY's dumping syndrome, and the slippage of a lapband really made me see that the safest route for me was the sleeve. I spent 2 yrs researching and watching patients before I decided for sure and then made the arrangements. I told my coordinator I was worried that it would not work but she told me it was unlikely but if it didn't the DS could be done later and I took a chance. Being self employed, I have to pay for insurance and when the major companies turned me down I knew it was time to do something. I had high blood pressure and began to have serious heart problems that put me on nitroglycerin pills. But within the 2 wk pre-op diet, my bp was mormal and the pain around my chest had gone away. I almost changed my mind and didn't go through with it but knew the chances of me losing over 100 lbs and keeping it off was highly unlikely so i got on the plane after I said a prayer. Almost 2 months later and 50+ total pounds lighter I look back and wonder again if it was worth going so drastic? I have days that I say yea and no but everyday I live w/o taking a pill for bp or heart problems answers the question for me. A life change really did occur with me doing it and if I accomplish my goal with the sleeve or not, I at least began my journey. Do I love my sleeve? I don't fall in love easy but I respect it and am learning to get along with it because we have each other for life!

Raine, Welcome to the group and congrats on your sleeve!!! I think it's great you love NC enough to wanna stay. We plaan on moving to Florida when we retire but I know it will be hard since NC has always been home. I have a boxing bag that I sometimes kick but that's as close as I have gotten to martial arts. But it always was something that sounded fun to learn. Maybe I will take a class or two one day to see if I have the knack for it after I lose a little more weight. Please feel free to add any info or post new threads to help get the group started. I know quite a few "Yankees" and they always have something to say lol so feel free to do so here.

I really think an active local support group will be great for our state and hope everyone will feel comfortable enough to share, comment, or ask anything that is on their minds.

I am trying my best to think good thoughts while dealing with my new sleeve but it is getting to be a handful with an already busy schedule. I know I can't turn back now but I really wish now I would have researched more with actual ppl how eating is after surgery. I know i'm only 6 weeks out but it is so irritating at times how my sleeve controls my life right now. I thank heaven that I do not have hunger or cravings but wish I was able to tolerate food or even shakes better. I eat an egg and can hardly get 2 spoonfuls down, or try tuna, chicken, etc. and it's the same thing. I am not babying my sleeve but hate the need to bring it up so much that I get my Protein from the 3oz shots I drink and may eat once a day praying it will stay down. I feel more and more like eating is another chore and don't enjoy handling that task at all. I know I have come a long way but really hope eating a couple of spoonfuls is not my permanent way of life. I feel like I am bulemic from the constant need to release what I eat more days than not. I know my stalls are from not eating but when you bring it back up as much as I do, you begin to ignore the "empty" feeling and hope the next day will be better. I went a few days last week problem free but the last few days put me back to square one. Baby food is beginning to get on my nerves but even pureed foods annoy my sleeve at times. I just feel tired and a bit of resentment that the sleeve I thought was a gift feels more like a curse...

We are the same height and almost the same staring weight(I was 330) but my goal is to be no more than 180 or 200 lbs. I could live with being a size 16 but not eating so little the rest of my life. Like you, I do want to eat like regular people or close to them and not like a bird. As for the slimes, I all too well understand!!! Hubby thinks the same thing as yours and I tell him at least I am not hungry or have a feeling of depriving myself. Please don't tell me my 4oz stomach will always be a 1/2 egg and strip of bacon meal I was hoping I would be able to eat a bit more. Maybe I should have agreed to the larger sleeve like my coordinator. Why have you stalled? My doc said I should see at least a 150 pound loss. I will be happy to see 100 but no less. I would consider it a failure and hate that I didn't have the DS like I wanted...

I actually am surprised to hear how there are similarities to my problems but so glad someone understands! As Meg said, it is a bit like taking steps back and forth. Just hope I too will become closer to "normal" again. Iegal, I have learned to watch what I eat and to be sure to take my time while eating. I am not a big fan of refried beans but cheese cubes are a treat ev now and then. I guess I will stick with my baby food and Soups for a bit longer and try meat once a week like I have been doing lately. Bilka, I felt so bad today when I went out to a business lunch and had to eat the way I did. I hate having to explain why I eat so little to people but as you all have said, soon I will be able to like others so my head will not hanag down to much longer. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words and wishes. Can't wait to be able to say I too love my sleeve like some. But for now, I am in agreeance with the respecting it.

I have not worn a bikini since I was a teen. And will probably be a one piece with a wrap after I do loose to my goal. But I also refuse to wear tank tops or anything sleeveless because I hate my arms. But I say if you feel fine in it, wear it ! You will unlikely be the biggest thing there and even if you are, so what? Gon' get ur freak on!!!

I bought a ProForm from a family friend and it had a limit of 250 but her hubby was almost 400 when he started his wls journey and I was 330 when I bought it. Had no problems or even lag when on it. I think it would be easier to go to Sears or somewhere to try them out first. You will drop to 250 in no time if diet and exercise is done right. I went from 330 to 300 in 2 weeks pre op. Why spend extra $$$ for a few days when I am sure you can get one at $500 or even $299 that will do you just fine. Good luck

I know 3 and 1/2 weeks is still early but I go all day without eating because it is beginning to make me feel somewhat bulimic from the constant running to the restroom after a meal. I know the Soups are not enough but wonder what else can I do to begin getting more than 20 or 30 grams of Protein or 4-5 cups of Water? I saw the protein shots at GNC and Wal-Mart but my next appt to my doc isn't til the 16th. So I am asking if you guys could help me. I know it takes time but I am worried and do not want to alarm my fam or friends. They all are finally accepting wls as a benefit and not a problem and if I say something I feel they will once again say it was a bad idea. Here is a typical daily routine for me: 6am : Wake up. Try to drink a 1/2 cup of water and take multi-Vitamins 8am: Shower. Another 1/2 cup of water. 1/2 of an egg 10am: Work. Mix of water and juice in in 16 oz cup of ice I sip on for a while 12pm: 1 chicken strip or another form of grilled/baked chicken. (always comes back up) 2pm: few sips of water 4pm: few sips of water and a 8 teaspoons of chicken noodle Soup broth 6pm: 1/2 cup of water and 3 tablespoons of tuna (usually comes back up) 8pm: 1/2 cup of water and up to half a hot dog and 2-3 cubes of cheddar cheese It really is taking all I have to do that and people think me owning a restaurant will help me eat but it actually does the opposite. I am never hungry and have to force myself to eat but I feel like I am always thirsty and can not get enough down. It still is harder to drink plain water than sugarfree drinks but I stay with water because of the artificial sweetners. I told my surgeon to make my sleeve small as possible and he said it will hold no more than 3-4 oz when healed but I am wondering if I made a good choice since I never had a major appetite or ate more than twice a day. Should I just add the protein shots for now and keep working my way up or keep forcing myself to try to eat real meat and chance getting sick? IS it normal not to want to eat at a month out? Any replies will be greatly appreciated

I can't wait to eat more like a human and not a bird lol. I suffer from migraines but have not had a headache yet thank heavens. I say way to go!

I am almost a month out and find myself needing to take breaks more often. I think I read somewhere that it can take months to get back to where we were. Everyday gets a bit better but not by much in my book. I think with all the info we try to learn and use along with our bodies changing, makes us very sensitive in many ways and fatigue is not excluded. But like Rootman said, get checked out if you need to. Hope you feel better soon.

I have a 13-in scar from arm repair surgery after a bad car accident and used Mederma afterwards. It did not seem to work the few months I tried it but the scars from gallbladder removal and other abdominal surgeries actually almost disappeared totally on their own. I guess it all depends on how well the surgeon sews you up. I would say try it to see if it helps. As for the stitches being healed, it would depend on how your body heals. I was told to wait 3 months before trying it on my arm scar but never asked or worried about the little ones on my stomach.

Congrats!!! I wish you and the baby all the best