PdxMan

Indeed! Or lighten up the picture a bit ... a little closer ... Looks like a cigar laying in a dark velvet case or something ...

You are from the Portland Metro area as well? Let me extend a warm welcome to a fellow soggy NWesterner. Where and when are you having your VSG? Let me know if you have any other questions. I am a west-side dweller and work in downtown if you ever want to get together for a coffee and chat.

Pre-op, don't worry about the timing of drinking water with anything else. Just follow your Drs nutritional guidelines. Don't worry about timing. That is for when you have restricted capacity, not before.

I was given liquid loritab. The pharmacy was able to flavor it with a green apple flavoring to make it palatable. You are also given a plastic syringe kind of thing which you pull the meds out with and then squirt into your mouth. Second day post-op, it would take me about 15 minutes to take the full dose. I was sleeved on Friday, on loritab until Tuesday and back to work Wednesday. Desk job.

I'm guessing you are young, since you are asking this question. You have never physically met this person, yet you are talking about sex, what, at one time as I understand it for most women, was one of the most intimate exchanges. How many partners have you had? How do you regard sex? Is it the icing on the cake or the appetizer to be enjoyed whether you are even served the main dish? Again, without knowing your age, dating history, the value you put on sex and where you are at in your life, this is a difficult question to answer. Just to let you know, when I was in my 20s, there wasn't much I wouldn't do or say to get into your pants. Just being honest here. So, it's up to you whether you want to get to know this person before you share this with him.

This has been my exact philosphy the last 20 months. I dropped 120 pounds in 8 months (I exercised like crazy, though, too) and have had no problems maintaining at my goal weight, which is actually lower than my original goal weight, but my body had other plans. I just went with it.

I'm like 20 months out. Couldn't be more normal in this area. When you get through this tough initial phase, you will be "regular" again. SarSar, how much Protein are you consuming each day? As I recently posted on another thread, the purpose for me getting sleeved was so I didn't HAVE to be on any specialized diets anymore. Throughout the day I ensure I get a balance of nutrients and liquids. Well balanced meals are our goal ... not another diet ... Right?

I'll even post again.

I did!

Check out THIS thread. It has what my surgeon told me.

Thank you for your honesty. It is funny how many new sleevers do the same thing, but get upset when their "desires" aren't validated. If we really want to be successful with this deal, we know when we are doing things we shouldn't be doing. Again, thanks for your honesty. Really appreciate it.

Sleeved on Friday, back to desk job on Wednesday.

I've never bought a single ounce of the bariatric food you see advertised. I cook all of my meals from scratch and 90% of them take me less than 20 minutes to make. The bottom line, as John points out, is to eliminate processed foods as much as you can. Consume healthy Proteins and carbs. Get a balance of nutrition from your foods, and you'll be fine. Just keep reading and asking questions

Yup. I use an immersion blender, too, for soups.

Ha! I am eating meatloaf right now. Not kidding. But I made it, not SweetTee, but I'll let my wife know I'll be looking for dessert later. Yeah, this is a tough, emotional time for us and we set expectations for the people around us that they are just not able to meet. Remember, expectations are just resentments in the making, so try to right-size your expectations. The only thing you have power over is yourself and your actions. Now, where's my ketchup?

Look up members Rootman and MassIndex. They are both swimmers. I swim, but only for pleasure. Tried doing it for exercise, but staring at the bottom of a pool drove me crazy.

I would just focus on cardio routines for awhile. Targeting specific areas is mainly for muscle development. You can't work an area to lose the fat there. It just doesn't work that way. Cardio will get you burning more calories and help your weight loss efforts. Get into this routine before you hit the machines. Find a gym that offers a variety of exercise classes. They are fun and motivating.

Yes, it does feel that way, doesn't it? Your first priority should be to get your liquids in. You can end up in the hospital due to dehydration, but you won't end up there because of lack of Protein. Are you able to have a Water bottle at work? Just do the best you can and know it will get better.

My surgeon said that after 6 weeks, the staple line should be completely scarred over. This is when I was cleared for physical activity, also.

SweetTee, I see you joined over 8 months ago and have over 500 posts. This tells me you have been on this site reading and posting quite a bit while researching this procedure. Assuming everything I just wrote is true, then I know you have seen dozens of threads by women talking about how bitchy they find themselves post sleeve. If they say they aren't bitchy, then their spouse all of a sudden is ... hmmm ... I'm not saying it's you, but what has changed lately? Since you joined a while ago, I'm also guessing your husband has known about this procedure and you have been talking to him about it. Again, I'm not saying it's you, but can you honestly say you have no ownership in anything regarding the latest conflict? Have you been rigorously honest with your husband about your emotions throughout this all?

They did not use a catheter during my surgery. I asked about it pre-op and they said they only use them for procedures over an hour and the sleeve doesn't take that long. But, each center is going to have their own guidelines. Catheters are nothing to worry about. I, too, had a sleepy bladder after my last back surgery and the nurse let me catheterize myself to have the post-op pee. Not a big deal.

Hey, do they have the internet in Mexico? Can I bring my computer with me?

Are you tracking in MyFitnessPal, or the like? What does your average day look like food-wise? Type and quantity ...

Yeah, when I get this feeling, I try to focus on what my body is lacking. What "sounds good" to eat? What have I had today and where am I falling short nutritionally. I then try to focus on that and most of the time, I get quite sated. I have heard the craving for chocolate is actually the body telling you it needs potassium. A banana can satisfy a chocolate craving. But also know, it takes practice. Just like everything. Ever try meditating? I bet you were terrible the first time. But after awhile, it comes natural. I'm still in the learning stages nutritional-wise, and I am not perfect. I do cheat. But I KNOW when I am cheating and when I am feeding. I don't try to lie to myself about it. "Jeesh! I was hungry and ate that jelly donut, but I am still hungry ... WTF?" Yeah ... no ... I know why I am still hungry, but I ate the jelly donut because I wanted to eat the jelly donut. Not to satisfy my hunger. I truely believe this is the way "skinny" people eat. They eat what their body needs and they know when they are cheating. And they don't make excuses for it, either. All the things I am trying to learn ... But, I am learning, not ignoring.

When I was going through this, I talked to my NUT. She said it was due to lack of carbs and needed to get more in. I was pureeing Soups, so I added more veggies (corn, onions, green beans) to them. chicken veggie and ham/lentil were some of my favorites. It worked for me. My energy levels came back within a day or two. Give it a try and see if it works for you.