SKCUNNINGHAM

I tried beer at about 4 months - didn't cause any problems other than 4 oz made me tipsy (drinking it slowly). I tried tequila around the same point - didn't cause any problems other than 2 tablespoons (sipped slowly) made me tipsy! Last week (almost 9 months) I was attending a business dinner. I had a shot of fine tequila in a brandy snifter, which I sipped on before and with dinner. I define sipping as inhaling the fumes and basically wetting my tounge with the liquor. It took me before dinner and the three course meal to get half of the drink down - and I could definatley feel the buzz. I plan on keeping alchohol in my life - I enjoy it. But I certainly can't drink much of it. I don't think the calories will have a negative effect on me - since I won't drink much.

I donated blood about 5 months after surgery. I had been anemic at 3 months post op, and went on iron supplements and eating red meat regularly. My hemoglobin was fine the day of donation and higher at 6 months than 3 - but still borderline anemic. I have been borderline anemic most of my life. I plan on donating blood once or twice a year, but no more often that that.

Dr Nicholson was my sugeon. He heads up the bariatric practice at Baylor Plano. Plano is on the north side of Dallas and has easy acces to Interstate 35 and Highway 75 - the main arteries of Okalhoma. I recommend Dr. Nick highly. I couldn't be happier with both the surgeon and his entire staff.

I would recommend pulling up your big girl panties and go be social with your friends. Visit, laugh, talk to them like normal - just don't eat. If someone asks why you aren't eating, another good lie to tell them is that you are fasting today due to medical tests the next day (everyone understands prepping for certain tests - colonoscopies, for example). Deflect the questions about you with questions about how they are going to celebrate their holdiay. People love to talk about themselves more than wonder why you are doing or not doing something. Have a clear image in mind of something you want to do or wear when you are at your goal weight before you go be around the food. If you indulge in the food, you will be that much further from what it is you desire. Nothing you can put in your mouth will make you feel as good as being thin will. A moment of fleeting pleasure from food is nowhere near as satisfying as knocking down the barriers that stand between you and being at your goal weight. Try to enjoy the holiday - as I few days where we focus on being thankful for the blessings we have received. There are many things I am thankful for besides being able (or not able) to eat a huge meal. You have a wonderful thing to be thankful for - you have been approved for surgery! YEA!! You have been given the key to join the "skinny" people - it just requires you to perform certain tasks - like your preop prep diet. Hope this doesn't seem harsh - I don't mean to be. Preop is not easy - the "head" part of the preop is much harder than what you aren't eating. The "head" part after surgery is much harder than the eating part, too. Try to get a handle on being around food and not letting it bother you. The sooner you can master this, the better for your success. Good luck. Sharon

I waited six weeks from diagnosis to having my gallbladder out. During the six week period, my diet became more and more restricted. At the end, I was only eating milk toast, buttered noodles, and potatoe Soup. By five and 1/2 weeks out, I was in coninuous pain from the gallbladder, whether I was eating or not. The doctor wanted to move up the surgeon, but I didn't want to as I was having a second unrelated surgery at the same time as the gallbladder surgery. I made it to have my gallbladder out as scheduled, but the doctor who did the surgery told me, after looking at my gallbladder, that it would have ruptured if I waited another 24 hours. Ask your doctor / whoever is reading your labs there recommendation. It depends on how easy your surgery is going to be and how quickly you recover if you will be well enough to travel.

I chose Dr. Nicholson over doctor Kim. Dr. Nicholson was a "center of excellence" (may not be the right term) for the four different insurance companies I went through during the year I was preparing for surgery. I knew going in to my preparation for surgery, that insurance was going to be a challenge for me, and I wanted a surgeon I could stay with no matter what. I am extremely pleased with Dr. Nicholson, his staff and my results following his guidelines. I would imagine Dr. Kim is also a fine surgeon but I really didn't consider him after researching Nicholson, going to his informaiton seminar and meeting his staff. Good luck picking the surgeon. We are very fortunate in DFW to have some outstanding surgeons to select from.

Have you ever had surgery before? If so, how long did it take to to recover and feel clear-headed enough to use the computer? I had surgery on 2/22. I was in the hospital overnight - home the next afternoon. Doc wanted me to stay another nite, but I wanted to recover at home. My main issue with recovering from surgery is it takes me a few days to get over the anasthesia - I kept falling asleep and was groggy for a couple of days. On the plus size, I had no nauseau or vomiting, and was able to drink fluids - so the surgical recovery wasn't a problem. My incliniation would be to take the classes - it will give you something to focus on while you are recovering. But everyone's recovery is different. Good Luck.

Nine months ago today I had my sleeve surgery with Dr. Nick at the Forest Park Medical Center in Dallas. Highest weight (a year ago Septmeber was ~265. My start weight was 253, my weight Day of Surgery was 241. I now weigh 150 pounds, with 15 pounds to go to goal. My highest BMI wass 44.7 -now I'm at 25.3 - almost in the normal range! I have lost 13.5" from my waist and 11.5" from my hips. I was in a 24W or 3X top, now I am wearing 12 Petites and a Medium top. This nine months have been spent learning - learning how to make the sleeve work for me, learning how to handle stress without shoving food into my mouth, learning how to relate to food in a totally different way. I still have a ways to go to cope with being a "normal size" food addict (kind of like a "dry" drunk) but life is really good now. I have the confidence to jump into the job market. My company is offering me early retirement with a settlement, so I am going to take it and get back in the job market. I already have some companies interested in hiring me, but I know that is a long way from having a new job (yet). I don't think I would have put myself on the market this way if I had still been morbidly obese as I was before my sleeve. I am keeping my fingers crossed until I get a new job! Thanks to all of you on this forum who have given me support and encoragement during my journey. It has really helped. I wish all of you continued success with your individual sleeve journies, and also a blessed Thanksgiving holiday. Sharon NB - I have attached a picture from today and one from about 2 weeks after my surgery.

One way to make chicken broth more interesting - season it with soy sauce. I love it that way. Also, my heating pad and a weight support belt were my best friends after surgery. I wore the belt 24 X 7 except when showering, and the heating pad on low when I was lying down or in the recliner. Hang in there, it gets easier. Sharon

I can relate to this post. People are telling me I have lost enough weight. I am not even in the normal BMI range yet!I still weigh 150 pounds - I don't think that is "skinny" on a person who is 5'4" tall. I remember when I graduated high school at 135 pounds - my (soon to be ex)boyfriend at the time told me I would be much prettier if I would lose some weight. (SIDEBAR: I also remember at that size, I wore 12's and 14's - and now I am into 10's and 12's. So there is definatley something to this vanity sizing these days.) Someone told me "you don't need to lose any weight, your husband loves you the way you are". While that statement is true (about him loving me), he also loved me 103 pounds ago - so that is not a determinate of my stopping point. That person was well-intentioned, unlike some of the jealous nozy people who make some of the rude and stupid comments mentioned by posters on this thread. It was nice attending a class last week where no one had ever met me before. They just thought I was a normal person - not some ex-fat person who needs to be watched like an animal in the zoo.

You are amazing. Congratulations! Enjoy all of the joys your success brings you. Best of luck in reaching your future goals Sharon

I took and still take a Famatodine (pepcid) when I first get up, with Water to wash it down. I like to drink something warm in the morning.(tea or broth) It is important for me to start drinking fluids as soon as I get up. I have a Protein drink or smoothie or maybe yogurt with extra protein in it or cottage cheese for Breakfast. then 30 minutes later, more liquid. I don't try to eat real food til mid day. If I feel gassy or crampy or like there is too much acid in my stomach, I drink something warm and take a GASX strip. I took another Famatodine (Pepcid) in the evening up until about six months, along with a prilosec. Now I just take the prilosec. Early on, Vitamins made me nauseous. It took me awhile to settle on what would work for me. I take adult gummy vitamins from costco in the morning, along with calcium chews. I take chewable Iron and C at night. Hang in there, it gets better.

When you get that hungry feeling, drink something warm. My beverages of choice at those times were broth and mint tea. I would drink something warm and put a GASX strip in my mouth. Really helped those feelings go away. I attributed them to stomach acid and gas.

WAY TO GO! Congrats on rocking the sleeve on vacation.

CT - Way to go, guy! I am proud of you. I can relate to the anxiety when eating - at some level I think if I put one wrong bite in my mouth, the 100 pounds will come back. It's not as bad now as it was earlier on. Keep up the good work! Sharon

O V A T I O N (That's a Standing Ovation for you) Congratulations!

obviously I have backrubs on my brain right now - I meant to suggest taking decadent bubble baths. Sharon

Coops - I totally understand and relate to where you are. First of all, congratulations on all the weight you have lost, and on still being dam* near perfect in your eating control this far into your journey. On the menopause front - how about biting the bullet and getting on some hormone therapy? If your doctor isn't a fan of it, go to an alternative source (health food store, alternative practitioner) and ask him or her for some help. I have been where you are and it is H E double L on earth to put up with. I am on estrogen and I will be on it (hopefully) until I am really old. This is the 21st century and we women should not have to put up with menopause without drugs and or some form of help. I think if that awful stuff would lessen, everything else would get easier. Have you thought about giving yourself an official vacation from trying to lose weight. Maybe for two weeks, you just do what you know to do that will keep you at the same spot, and focus on doing things you enjoy? Enjoyment doesn't have to be centered on food. Put the scale in the cupboard for two weeks and declare it is NATIONAL BE NICE TO COOPS fortnight. Read books you like, listen to music you like, get and give luxurious backrubs to / from your husband, take decadent bathrubs, go for long drives / walks in the country - whatever is your pleasure. You have been fighting the good fight for a while now and deserve a break. For your "vacation" your goal is to just maintain - not lose. After you have given yourself a break and also maybe gotten some help with the menopause, I bet you will be ready to pick up the battle-gear and get back in the fight. I hope this helps. DON"T BE DOWN ON YOURSELF - you have done outstanding. I know you have been an inspiration to me. Sharon

You can do this - make it until your surgery and make it through the surgery. Somewhere, you probably have had someone work with you on positive imagery. Try to do some of this. Put on some relaxing music you like - not too loud - I am imagining you are listening to some quite jazz. Lay day or get in a recliner. Adjust the room light to a soothing dimmness. Lay back, close your eyes and take some deep breaths. Try to not think about anything at first, just concentrate on taking slow deep breaths. Then, think back to a time you were thin and happy. (or if you have never been thin, imagine yourself being thin and happy). Picture this thin, happy you doing the things you can't do now but would like too. Maybe wearing a pair of "skinny jeans" - or some sexy VS underwear for a special someone to enjoy with you - or doing some physical activity you miss doing (horseback riding, swing dancing, skydiving - whatever is your passion). Try to give this skinny happy you as rich and satisfying life as you can imagine. Don't let yourself think about getting to that point - just think about being at that point. Make that vision as desirable as you can - you really need to make it something you want really really badly. Keep the fantasy going for a while. Once you are ready to come back to the you lying in the recliner, open your eyes. Immediately tell yourself that the life you imagined is yours for the taking - all you have to do is have the surgery and follow your doctor's program. Nothing that you can think between now and surgery is worth denying yourself the great life you imagined. Don't let anyone (you included) or anything stop you from achieving your goal. Good luck. If your cognitive therapist can't help you and you want to work on this kind of stuff - any hypnotist should be able to help you. Sharon

Meg - you look gorgeous! You look like you are 10 years younger, too. Way to go. Welcome to the century club. Here's to you and I both losing our final 15-16 pounds QUICKLY. Sharon

I pretty much do what MeginNOLA does. Some places that I regular eat or get food from: Mexican - fajita meat cooked in onion and tomatoes (different places call this dish different things) and it comes with steamed zucinni at my favorite place. An order is 2 or 3 meals for me. Chinese - chicken and veggies or shrimp and veggies - no rice or Hot and Sour Soup with no crunchy yummies for the top. Chicken Wing place - I get the naked wings or naked tenders Cracker Barrel - I get the roast beef or the meat loaf with green Beans and carrots. This lasts me 2 meals now. I have always considered a restaurant menu a list of suggestions. I typically read the menu thinking "protein" and "veggies" and then order what I want based on what they have. If I want a baked chicken breast with sliced tomatoes, I order it that way - even if it isn't listed on the menu in that form. This works best with full service places, but some other restaurants are accomidating. I can sometimes be the customer from H**l, but I was the same way before the sleeve. I sometimes take the meat from one "suggestion", the veg from another and the sauce from a third. If they serve it to me willingly and graciously, I overtip like crazy. If they choose to not accomodate me, they don't get my business a second time.

Throughout my almost nine months since surgery, I have eaten my required protein (60 then 80 grams) then veggies (if I have room). I also got carbs from protein drinks (low carb ones), cottage cheese, yogurts, and melba toast or flatbread crackers. I avoid the white carbs (bread, pasta, potatoes and rice) and don't go crazy on corn. This has worked from me - I am 15 pounds away from goal. Once I get to goal, I will start easing some white carbs back in my eating plan.

Congratulations! There is a thread on the site that has a great discussion of looking like you weigh less than you do. It is all about the ratio of fat to muscle individuals carry. I agree with you - better to weigh more and look good, than less and look bad.

I was in a week long class this week, with people from all over the country. No one had seen me in person before, only had worked with me remotely. I have a bum ankle/foot - which precludes me from wearing normal dress shoes. I wear orthotic inserts, a metal plate under one insert, and usually an ankle brace of some sort. To fit all this gear in, I wear Chuck Taylor's Converse All Star Tennis shoes with my work attire. I indulge my love of pretty shoes by having an assortment (20 pair0 of Chucks (lots of high tops) that match any business outfit I have. One of the woman at the class was complimenting my shoes on Friday. I explained why I wore Chucks - and mentioned to her I had to decide whether to something like them or bite the bullit and wear orthotic / nursing shoes. She said - "Oh, you are way to young to wear orthotic shoes. You are so beautiful thin, the Chuck's look really cute on you. They make a statement - you are young, with a edge. They are just part of your "brand."". I was so pleased, I laughed aloud. I can't imagine she would have said the same thing to me 9 months and 100 pounds ago. Her comments startled me - being considered young - as I will be 55 this Christmas - and meing caled beautiful thin and cute also took my breath away. This might me the nicest thing anyone has said to me since my surgery.

Coops - you look GREAT! You look young and yes TINY. Enjoy the complements from those you work with and ignore the stupid stuff some ignorant folks say. Congratulations! Sharon