emily_0192010

I didn't do it on purpose... but anything with artificial sweeteners made me sick after my surgery. So I ended up doing water and broth.... it wasn't horrible but I did get sick of it very quickly. It was better once I added in my Protein shakes, though not completely because even those had the artificial sweetener in it.

It makes no sense to do sugar free and fat free at the same time!!! Many things that are sugar-free have a higher fat content, and many things that are fat free are higher in sugar!! I do low carb, but only because I am carb sensitive. However, even though i'm low carb, I don't count them anymore since having my sleeve. I figure there is absolutely no way that I could eat the same amount before, especially since I always eat my Protein first... and by the time I do that I don't have room for anything else! I have been losing steadily and feel great. When I am meticulously counting everything I mentally feel like crud because it puts me into "diet mode" and I won't do that to myself. The only thing at the store that I buy special is a low-sugar ketchup. My sister (she is 6) is very sugar sensitive as well and regular ketchup sends her up the walls. I also happen to prefer the taste. Oh, and I buy the "light" cheese sticks, but only because those are higher protein and I can't taste a difference. As for feeling cruddy with sugar-free and low-carb products?? DEFINITELY! I noticed this immediately post-surgery. Before surgery I loved propel Water and Powerade zero... afterwards? They make me sick. I feel dizzy and weak and hot and I hate it! Even some of my Protein shakes that have artificial sweeteners bug me!

Where did you get him and does he have brothers???? Seriously! I want one like that!

Congrats It will be surgery time before you know it!!!

I love this I believe they have another one somewhere on the site but it is great to see new ones! My list - Wear a dress. I have never worn dresses unless I absolutely had too. I would love to wear one and actually feel nice in it. -Actually play with my sister at the park. My sister just turned 6... I would like to play with her (without being self conscious and wondering if the swing is going to snap) and not just sit on the side with my book. - I want to rollerblade again. I used to do this ALL the time as a kid. I went through pair after pair because I would wear them out (the good ones too!). I was really good on them too. I would love to rollerblade again. Right now my ankles aren't strong enough to support all my weight. -I want to iceskate again (see above, same reason!) -Ride all the rollercoasters, and walk all around the park... and maybe wear a bikini top (or a tankini) on the Water rides My biggest (and craziest)... I want to learn how to hang-glide. Yup. I want to be strapped into a giant kite, towed behind a plane and let loose! It is one of my ultimate dreams, but I would never attempt it at my weight.

You look great! I especially like that last photo with the blue scarf I noticed that we have very similar stats! I am about 2.5 months out and I have gone from a 22/24 to a 14/16... and I am about to turn 21! I don't have very many before pics but I was planning on posting something at the three month mark as well. Also, I still can't see that big of a difference in myself as well. I still look the same, just in smaller clothes! My mom however swears up and down that there is a huge difference.

I remember reading somewhere that someone (not on this site) had seen someone weigh in with ankle weights on to push themselves over the 40 BMI mark!! Good luck and I hope you get your approval!

I asked my surgeon about driving and he said that it was absolutely fine. The risk is no different whether you are the one driving or the one being driven. A sudden stop or an accident would do damage either way. Sometimes you can't avoid it. I know I couldn't. Unless you are on pain meds the surgery is fairly minor and your stomach is pretty well protected. It would have to be a very major accident to rupture it.

I'm mixed... there are some days where I feel smaller but then I look in the mirror and I'm like "i'm still huge". Then there are other days where I just don't feel any different. Even when I was at my heaviest I was still very active and I never had any major issues (there were some pretty darn close on the horizon though), so at this point I honestly don't "feel" different and I don't see any major changes. I avoided pictures like the plague so I don't have many "before" at my heaviest, but I have quite a few that had from about 30 lbs up... and I can see a difference, but all it does is remind me of how far I still have to go, and I get the shock factor of "geeze, how did I not notice!!"

By the time you see this... YOU ARE ON THE LOSERS BENCH!!!!!!! You did it! Happy Dance! Congrats

I was/am very similar to you!! I was fine with the Protein shakes before surgery, but now I can barely tolerate them. I would suggest trying some pre-made ones, they tend to not "smell" as strongly. The only ones I can tolerate right now are the pre-made GNC "lean shakes" (the chocolate one). The powder is very high carb but the pre-made ones are only 6 carbs and 25 protein. As for food, chicken is one of the hardest to digest because it is so lean!! Try a dark meat pork, like ribs or a roast. Cook them in crock pot or in the oven over a few hours with lots of liquids so the meat is very moist. This was my savior once I tried it. I could get it down and it sit fine (as long as I ate pretty slowly). Also, try eating with a little bit of sauce, it adds to the moisture and food goes down easier. You said that you were eating a lot of soup. That is great for liquids, but if you are sipping broth and then chewing meat/veggies... that might be irritating your sleeve. Try separating them by half an hour. I hated this because I love soup, but it made quite a difference. Having food right after broth or mixed up made the food hurt when it hit my sleeve. Another idea for the shakes, which I haven't done very often, is to add some fruit to them. Once in a blue moon i'll get a smoothie and have them add in the protein supplement. I don't do it often because of the carbs, but it helped while I was transitioning and trying to find something that I could tolerate. You said you are lactose intolerant, and that sucks. I get in about 5 g of protein per day from cheese. The only other sources I know of that would be fine at your stage would be eggs. I could not handle scrambled, but a fried egg was great (i say fried... but I didn't use butter, just the nonstick spray and some seasoning). I couldn't eat a whole egg until very recently (I am 8 weeks out), but I could get most of it down. Good luck and I hope some other more veteran sleevers will post as well.

I have actually only bought one new shirt and a new bra. BUT, I had a few things from when I was smaller before (or more like as I got bigger). I am just about out of clothes though, since I have shrunk-out of what I saved. I can't see myself being a big shopper though. Even though I am significantly smaller, went from a 24 to a 14/16... I don't enjoy trying on new clothes. I think I will be more excited when I am not shopping in the plus sizes anymore. Since I am pretty short I still have to do the 14/16 W... I can't wait to lose the W. I think at that point I might be more excited, but at this point I can't stand when I try something on, and it still doesn't fit or it doesn't fit right. I know that will happen even if I get down to single-number sizes, but right now I try to avoid it.

I agree with Kami... I think you'll be fine as long as you break it up and take lots of breaks. Also, make sure you aren't on any narcotics, so check with your surgeon to see what over the counter meds you can take. Good luck and congrats! You will be on the losers bench soon

I have no idea whether it is actually true or not... however I have heard that it can take up to two years after losing the weight for the skin to start to snap back, which is why people are told to wait before having plastic surgery. I am only two months out and I sure hope that this lose skin that I already have will tighten up over time! I wouldn't over-think it Just be happy it's happening!

Most definitely I haven't hit any large official stalls yet (I know it will happen eventually) but I have never lost big numbers at a time. There are weeks were my mom swears that I look completely different, and I'll go to put on a pair of pants and they are way too big! It is very exciting

Hello Congrats on being on the loser's bench first off! At three days out I was not doing Protein shakes, mainly because I couldn't get them down yet. I did the same with the medicine cups but I found it was more difficult for me. So I switched to using bottles and taking tiny tiny sips (I used a straw, my surgeon said it was fine). I literally had the straw at my mouth at every moment I could because my sips were that small. At three days I would focus on the Water. It is good that you are trying the protein, but don't let that keep you from getting in your liquids. I didn't worry about protein until I was a few days out.

Congrats!!!!! For me waiting for the approval was the most difficult part of the journey... I was a ball of nerves the entire time. I bet you can't wait to get your date I agree that this site is amazing! I spent hours and hours reading through old posts and I hardly ever had questions for my surgeon.

I agree completely!!!!! There are amazing people on this site and I was so thankful (and still am!) when I found this site months ago! It is the best support group you could possibly ask for

I told my 6 year old sister that my doctor was going to make my stomach smaller so that I could be healthier. She thought it was fun that we would eat about the same amount. I didn't mention anything about weight loss etc, just that I was going to be healthier.

I am down to 197! 3 pounds lost so far

I don't think that is funny... I think that is awesome! Pat yourself on the back lady! Congrats

Well, it seems like you have already received the best advice possible, and since there really isn't anything else to add here is my contribution: ((((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))) Feel better You will get over this! You are a strong, beautiful woman and you have already done the right thing by reaching out for help. I can't wait to read your posts in the weeks/months to come.

Congratulations! This is going to be the best Christmas gift you've ever given yourself For success stories, tips, Q's and A's this is the best place you could have possibly gone! When I was first starting back in May I spent hours on here just browsing site and reading reading reading. The people are amazing as well, and since you are a guy you may find "The Man Room" very informative (under support groups). As for myself I have lost 62 pounds so far and I am two months out. That does include the weight I lost pre-op. I generally lose 2-3 pounds a week which my surgeon is very happy about. He said anymore and he would be worried that I was losing muscle and not fat. Congrats again and good luck!