SKCUNNINGHAM

Fluffylibra is right - liquids can't be too hot or it breaks down the Protein. Get a cooking thermometer (one for candy making works) and test the liquid to see how hot it is before you put it in the protein. Or, you could test it like we used to test baby formula - put a drop on your wrist. If it is warm like you would give a baby to drink, it should be fine to mix with the Protein Powder. I like the same nectar chocolate protein powder you do. I make smoothies out of it for Breakfast.

RR - you look SO MUCH SMALLER! Congratulations on outstanding results. All your diligence is paying off. Good luck on the rest of the journey.

Here is a link that can help you set your target goal weight. http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm This site also has a link about the Metropolitan Life Insurance weight tables, and why that reference may not be the appropriate weight target for individuals. I had never seen the study / charts it references. Interesting stuff - but I happen to like statistics. I am 11 pounds away from my original target, and am trying to decide where I want to stop - so I am revisiting this whole topic again.

If you are worried you have damaged your sleeve, go to the doctor and have him do a leak test. STOP EATING SOLID FOODS. PERIOD. It is too early for you to do that. You could get things caught in your staple line and possibly cause an infection or leak. Yes, you have a line of staples the length of your stomach. While that line of staples is healing, you need to be on liquids, then full liquids, then mushies. Nothing you mentioned you are taking bites of is OK. You need to be drinking protein drinks and clear fluids. Maybe some SF jello, or maybe yogurt. Ask your doctor. When I would get hungry(which was acid), I would take a GASX strip and drink either warm broth or warm tea. I would drink my protein drinks and calorie free liquids (Propel, etc). I was prescribed FAMOTIDINE (pepcid) morning and evening and I took a prilosec in the evening. Don't mean to be harsh - I am just worried you are going to hurt yourself. Please take care and let us know how you are doing. Good Luck!

My 9 month post surgery labs cholesterol levels were >200 (after being lowest at 3 months, higher at 6 months but still normal). The total amount is 239. It certainly isn't what I am eating. I eat Protein and veggies and low fat dairy. My family heredity is my issue. I am working to get my cholesterol lower by adding oatmeal, flaxseed, flax oil, and Garlique tablets to my daily regime to see if I can get it lower by my 12 month labs. I am also upping the amount of exercise I do. Pre-surgery I was on a statin, eating anything I wanted, and my numbers were way worse than they are now. (High 300's I think)I'm sure I could get below 200 with a statin - but would like to stay off of them. I will know in February - so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

You look wonderful! Congratulations - you inspire me to get these last 10 pounds off. What an amazing job you have done. Well done!

I am slightly over 10 months post surgery and here are the things I avoid: Too much raw celery - BAD SIDE EFFECTS - my rule is if a garbage disposal has trouble with it, limit the raw food to a very small amount. Cooked celery doesn't bother me. I don't go crazy with raw brocolli, cauliflower or cooked corn on the cob. meat cooked dry (primarily beef). For example - BBQ'd brisket without drowning it in sauce tears me up. Although I can eat beef Jerky, which is wierd. Maybe it is the BBQ process. Makes me sick to my stomach for a couple of days. "Fluffy" bread - I can eat a bite or maybe two - and that's it. Same with pasta's. They feel like the swell up in my stomach and I don't like the feeling. Toast or crispbreads is OK. Carbonated beverages - my sleeve doesn't like bubbles. Period. Heavy, rich sweets - I from one to three bites then stop. Don't want anymore - my stomach doesn't seem to like rich stuff except in small quantities (although my mouth still enjoys it). I am absolutely lactose intolerant for milk and ice cream. I can eat yogurt, cottage cheese and cheese with no problems. I still choose to limit my carbs (Pasta, bread, rice, potatoes) to very little. I still want to lose ten pounds, so I stay more with Protein and veggies. Potatoes and rice don't cause me any problems to digetst, so I am going to eventually add those back in maintenance. Breads and Pasta will be limited forever I guess.

I don't have to worry about birth control, I have had a hysterectomy years ago. BUT, I do warn you your hormone levels are not going to be the same while you are rapidly losing weight. Fat cells store estrogren, and when they release the estrogen into your bloodstream, wierd hormonal stuff can happen. It made me have a couple of crazy puberty-like months. So I would recommend getting on birth control and making sure you are consistent and diligent in following the requirements to ensure you don't get pregnant unexepectedly. Good Luck!

2011 year has been a year of personal shrinking (physical size) and personal growth (understanding myself better). Went to my appointment with Dr. Nick in January and scheduled my surgery. Began the preop diet in early February, and had surgery on 2/22/12. I weighed 253 pounds, wore 24W clothing and 3X tops. Was on BP meds (2) cholesterol meds (2), a CPAP device (I hated it) and had joint pain continuously. My doctor was talking to me about WHEN I would have a heart attack, not IF. Fast forward to now. I am 108 pounds lighter and am now only 10 pounds away from my goal weight. I am wearing size 10 or 12 petite pants, 12P blouses, and size medium tops and pants. I am on NO BP medication, NO cholesterol medication, no longer have sleep apnea and my joints feel 100% better. My doctor is thrilled with the results. Been a great year. I know so much more about myself. I have met many of my demons head-on and they are no longer demons. food is much less important to me. I think I still am an addict, but I am taking it one day at a time. The sleeve is a wonderful tool to help deal with the daily challenges. I am looking forward to 2012. I have taken early retirement from my corporation and will start looking for my next adventure 100% of the time starting Tuesday of next week. Well - almost 100% of the time. I am really going to dedicate my spare time to exercising, to see if I can get the droopy saggy bits of my body to be a lot firmer. It is certainly much nicer to be looking for a job as a size 10/12 than as a size 24. I think my chances of landing a job are much better now. Great topic, Rootman. Thanks for starting it.

Eat by the clock. Get up, drink something, eat Breakfast (protein). If you need to, eat a bite of something (Protein or veggie) mid morning. Eat lunch (protein). If you need to, eat a bite of something (protein or veggie) mid to late afternoon. Eat dinner (protein). Allow yourself one SF snack after dinner. Hunger to me is an empty feeling. I need to put a little protein in my system every 4 hours. Anything else my stomach tells me is either acid or head hunger. I treat the acid with OTC meds and GASX strips. The head hunger I tell to go away - it ruled me for most of my life and its "reign of terror" is over.

I a firm believer that God doesn't make mistakes - but I also believe he/she has a sense of humor. Sometimes it seems when you have a plan all laid out, here comes the cosmic "joke" to see how good you are coping with unplanned events. Best of luck on your pregnancy and birth of your child. Maybe your pregnancy can be an opportunity to eat really healthy and have a net loss of weight. I have had heavy girlfriends to have done that - delivered healthy babies, and ended up being 30 pounds lighter after birth than at conception. And, you will have your very own exercise program for after you are sleeved - chasing a baby / toddler around. My thoughts are with you. Sharon

I would be happy to participate. Send me a personal email with the questionairre and where you would like me to email the results to. I am OK with sharing demographic info also. I would like a copy of your completed paper - I am intersted in seeing your results and conclusions.

Not only is it fun to need smaller size underwear, the style options in smaller sizes are so varied. I have been buying a couple of pairs in a few styles as I have been shrinking - to see what style I like. It has been so many years since I was concerned wtih that kind of thing! BTW - no thongs for me - on my feet or elsewhere. :-)

In the past, after significant weight loss, my prescription for my glasses has changed enough to require new glasses. Apparently, my astigmatism changes when my weight drops as does my far-sightedness and near-sightedness. (I have one eye of each kind - nothing to do with age).

WOW! Congratulations! This is wonderful accomplishment - I am happy for you.

Congratulations! You have done an outstanding job transforming yourself. Enjoy the new year and the new you!

I would be interested in the virtual support group. And, I have Skype and a camera.

I am still losing hair at 10 months, but it is also growing back. I have been taking Biotin since about 1 month out.

Plan your wardrobe based on what you need for the lifestyle you live. You can build a wardrobe that can give you many different looks based on some key separates in basic colors that can mix and match. Then you can supplement the looks with different accessories to completely change the look of the outfits. There are books that walk you through how to build a wardrobe based on a few key pieces. Before you can build one though, you need to figure out what you need - how many looks and how dressy you need them to be. This will determine the number of pieces you need. Once you know this, you can start finding the pieces you need and buy them inexpensively. Good Luck Sharon

I was where you are now one year ago. I had just had a wonderful Christmas with family, and knew I would be facing surgery soon. I wondered if I would be around to see another Christmas - I was scared to undergo surgery and thought I would die young (relatively) if I didn't have it. Fast forward to now. I have been sleeved 10 months and am within 10 pounds of goal. I have lost a small person's worth of weight. I am SO MUCH healthier and feell SO MUCH better. And, I really enjoy being this size! Life is much better at a 10 - 12 petite than a 24W. Try to focus on the end goal. Don't let anything you can think or worry about keep you from focusing on your end goal. Anything you have to do, eat, not eat, start doing, stop doing or change is worth reaching your end goal. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.

Isopure PLUS is 15 grams of Protein in 8 oz of liquid. I liked both the grape and punch flavors. It is different than the ISOPURE you can find in the stores. I ordered it online from Amazon.com. The flavors taste like crystal lite - not bad at all. Try not to use the protein shots. The protein is not high quality and not as good for you as whey isolate Proteins. Also, your body can't absorb 46 grams of protein at once - only 20-30. If you have to use them, use half at once. I also use the nectar powdered protein. I like the vanilla, chocolate truffle and fuzzy navel.

Cludgie - I am so happy for you! Congratulations! What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and to start the new year.

I ate tuna made into tuna salad (with lite miracle whip and a trace of dill relish) and chicken minced really fine and made into chicken salad the same way.

Sasicas - my thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray that you manage to stay out of the hospital, the scope finds the problem and that you are healed without further surgery.

Good lighting and pretty lingerie will help you feel prettier. If a guy is really attracted to you, he will want you - wrinkled skin and all. If he is turned off by that - see that as a sign that he isn't worth going out with (much less get intimate with). Have you talked to any professional about improving your self image / self confidence? That could help you. Good luck - you have done wonderful with your sleeve. Now you need to have a little fun!