Linda121010

HI! My weight loss is moving slowly - but I am so not stressed because at least it is going in the right direction! Recent NSVs: I just returned from an Alaskan Cruise. We went on a walking tour and I had no problem keeping up with everyone, and wasn't in pain afterwards! Gained less than one pound on the cruise and have since taken it and more back off! For the cruise I bought some 1x shirts - not 4-5x! On the cruise, bought a hoodie at a regular store in regular sizes--didn't have to hunt all over for the only place that carried larger sizes. I have started working out 2x a week with a friend who is a personal trainer, and I don't "hate" it. I am keeping up and I went from not being able to do even one wall push up or one plank to being able to do at least ten! I was the least strong person ever, so every improvement makes me absolutely happy! Keep sharing your NSVs- I mostly "stalk" on here- but your NSVs are truly inspiring!

Isn't cool to have those size 14s hanging there and to know you WILL get into them soon? Congrats!

Congrats! Two in one day! Who cares what the label says about the size--you know they are smaller and so are you!

Me Too! I have a friend who recenttly went to school to become a PersonalTrainer. I otld her I will be her first client- and she has ONE job only -- to make me LIKE excercise! I only like to swim, and don't do it often because it is too much work to change, etc, and the community center is $6 every time-- it can add up. I used to like bike riding when I was much younger, so I may resurrect my neglected bike soon., So...I started walking in May with a friend - we mostly walk at the high school track so we can easily measure our distance and it has a softer surface to help our knees/backs. The only reason I "like" it is because she and I talk the whole time! And if she cancels, I don't go. We do 1-2-or 3 nights, depending on our schedule--but I figure even one time a week is better than zero. I started with the personal trainer 2x per week- Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 a.m. Do I LIKE it? Not yet. But I do have a sense of accomplishment when I finish that hour. And in four sessions, I went from the 3 lb weights feeling "heavy" to being able to do the same move wiht 8 lb weights!!!! WIll I EVER like excercise????? The other good part is that we meet at her house, so I am not embarrassed at a gym. I am amazed at how many excercises I do not know how to do. These initial sessions have really been about learning some different moves. Apparently I am not all that coordinated - if I am going to remember to breathe, move a certian way, and count, I just cannot do it Oh--really wanted a Wii and made sure I got Wii fit at Christmas time-- I have NEVER touched it and don't even know how to operate it. My daughters will be showing me this when the cold weather comes again. But it is a bit embarrassing that I wanted it and had big plans and haven't used it yet. You are a bit ahead as you like to hike- are there new places you could visit-parks, etc in your area so you could at least vary your routine and your view?

I haven't been on here a lot...but just had to share. My husband had surgery in November and has lost over 100 pounds and looks fabulous! I have lost over 77 pounds now and I feel great. My loss has not been fast-but it is in the right direction, so I am happy! Unfortunately I am a carbaholic, so I really have to work at not having bread. With our higher energy level we are tackling some yard work that was not done for quite some time-so my gardens look beautiful, our shed has been cleaned out and washed down, overgrown ivy and pine trees have been trimmed,etc. I now walk two miles, a couple of times a week with a friend, when we first started I could barely do the two mile sin one hour- now we have no problem finishing in less than 40 minutes! At lunch most days, with other friends, I walk a bit-not counting time or distance-but at least I am moving! And in one week, another friend who just became a personal trainer is going to have her first official client--me! I am looking forward to it. My only worry-she said her PT made her actually like excercise and this is the miracle I am hoping for! I went from regularly wearing 4x or 5x to the 2x's being too large! My size 32 pants are way gone--I have a pair of size 26 shorts on that are feeling loose-going to get a smaller size tomorrow! My reward for 75 pounds: My first ever pedicure was today! Yippee!!!

I was not a revision either; but the doctor explained that when the stomach is removed so is the hormone that makes you feel hungry...I couldn't wait as I was previously ALWAYS hungry! It's true- I am not hungry, although I do have "head hunger" - times where I want something just because that used to be the habit. Some days I do not eat enough and I am positve that that is why I keep having plateaus and I am loosing slowly. But any loss is good loss, so I just try to be happy that it is going in the right direction. Good luck!

My doctor never said I cannot chew gum; so I never realy stopped. I find it does help me to chew when I have head hunger; or when I am stressed. I never swallow gum, so that never occured to me as one of the issues! I can see worry about additional air getting in, but I haven't had that problem, either. Like others said, try it- your body will let you know if it isn't good for you - everyone is different.

Also ask around if any friends are or know a seamstress. I had three pair of pants tailored at the waste, so I could wear them a bit longer, and that was less expensive than new pants. Also agree with the posts to check out the thrift stores; and the clearance racks at the less expensive department stores - tops for $3-$4! I have been lucky to have some friends going through this ahead of me, and passing stuff to me. Now I am passing on my big stuff to others. I haven't dropped sizaes that fast, but when I do buy something, I try it on, and choose the more snug size knowing in a short while it will be loose.

Good for you in doing research and really thinking this through. I agree with the other answers-complications can happen for any surgery, so check out your doctor and your hospital, too as part of your research. But if you trust them, don't let this be the stopping point. As someone said, there are complications with remaining overweight, too and mine were starting to affect every day. I already "can" eat lots of things, including chocolate. When I do, and I have, of course the needle on the scale doesn't move as quickly. This is easier than a 1000 diets I have been on in that I am not hungry all the time. BUT, I still have to think about what i choose to put into my mouth, and it isn't always easy. It is a journey, and I know I am on the road to better health. I personally struggle with the no to limited carbs part as I have realized I am a carb-aholic. Carbs still call my name. I just try really hard to be choosy and to always fill on Protein first, leaving little room for carbs. My stay in the hospital was overnight. My immediate thought upon waking up was "What the h*** did I do to myself?" as I was in pain. But I had the surgery on Thursday and by Tuesday felt good and took no pain killers at all after that. This forum is a great place to get support, so stick with that too! Good luck

congrats! I was in a size 32 when i started, and was glad to buy a pair of size 26 pants this week! I have been blessed to pass clothes to some friends and to receive some clothes from other friends. So right now, my closet has clothing from size 30 to size 16! Not much in the largest size, as I have been giving away a lot! One of my personal pleasures it trying something on, finding it just too big, and taking it off to put in the "give away" bag.

The good news...down more than 30 pounds and knocking on the door of the 200s! I was at a conference at the Girl Scout Edith Macy Conference Center for four days, where they have amazing & abundant food, and I only gained a tiny bit...which is a big change from others visits there. I stuck to the plan to have Proteins first! Thanks to everyone who posts on these boards, you have been very inspriational. It really does help. I check here often for tips to keep motivated. My other motivation is reaching in the closet, trying something on, and having to take it back off and put it in the "give-away" pile! I wish I had done this so much sooner!

Just wondering how far past surgery you have to be to start having raw veges and fruit. After years of dieting and trying to increase servings of vegetables and fruits, I actually miss them. I know it is way to earlry for me; I was just wondering.

I was sleeved 12/10. I mostly feel great. I am happy that I have lost 24 pounds already. So today was the last egg for awhile. My husband was sleeved four weeks ahead of me. When we go out to dinner, we share one chicken breast and potatoe (mashed or baked) and usually have left-overs! Our instructions were not as strict as some on here, so I had one week of liquid, then started mushies and progressed to chicken fairly quickly. I wanted to chew! But, very careful about small amounts abd chewing well. I am finding eggs aren't working for me. On Sundays, before church our family goes to Breakfast and part of the egg fills me up too much, and I don't feel well for awhile. My big problem is thta I eat too fast -- old bad habit that I am trying to break. When I was first sleeved, I had ot slow down, it would take me a half hour to eat a half cup of Soup, including two trips to reheat in the microwave. Now that I can eat a bit more, I forget sometimes and eat too fast. I get the hiccups, so I know I have done it to myself! One other small problem - zero excercise - I hurt my knee just after Christmas and have to have the torn miniscus fixed - Feb 3. After that, I plan to walk at lunch with coworkers. This week, my daughters and I are going to fit swimming in 2 times. I am a huge advocate for the sleeve! I know I can do this and I know I will be healthier!

My husband had surgery in November, and probably within a week went back to coffee; I had surgery in December, and when I went back to work I went back to one cup or two per day. Coffee is one of the few things you are allowed while on liquids. It was actually on our list of things we can have. Surprised to see others saying we cannot have it. I personally have to have something to dirnk besides Water and Protein drinks. I have no problem giving up the regualr or diet pop; and juice can be so high in calories. I plan ot keep drinking coffee in moderation.

Hi! I was sleeved 12/10/10 , and my husband four weeks before me, and our nutritionist did not give us very much post-op information. The hospital gave us some, but we have learned a lot more from these boards. I have only lost 14 pounds since surgery. Noone told us to get in the "XX" ounces of protein, nor "XX" water. I know I am not getting 60 of either! And I have no idea how many calories I am taking in. Should I be more closely tracking? The one thing I am trying to do is keep limiting carbs because they are definately my weakness. Looking forward to other posts on this topic, too.

Hi MistyB, I am 9 days post-op, and boy do I feel ya! Did you try differnet companies for their Protein drinks? Some are just enough different that at least you can feel like you had a different flavor. I had a couple of friends who did this before me in different programs, so they shared some of their Protein Drinks, and I found one that actually tasted good. I don't use clear chicken stock - I use Lipton chicken Soup mix and just have the broth - but when this is over, if I never have it again, I would be o.k. with it! You will see on these boards a wide variety of post-op plans - I have veen surprised by the variations in the liquid post-op stage - some say consume only liquids for two days, some for the first two weeks. It is interesting how diverse they are. If you are really that unhappy with the menu chocies, you probably aren't getting enough calories in - maybe you need to "self-medicate" in that you choose one soft food, measure out a small amount, and add that to your diet already. If you are used toa wide variety - choose something kinda "out there" that you wouldn't always have. I was so craving Pasta, and yeah it should not be on the diet, but I had a couple of noodles and I very carefully chewed and chewed - and you know what? I satisfied my craving, won't have any more for a while, and had no problems.

Hi, I had the sleeve on December 10, 2010 at about 12 noon....Dr Hawasili, from Eastside Suregeons, at St John Hospital in Detroit Michigan. My first thought on waking up in pain was "Why the H** did I even Think this was a good idea?" But everyday with less pain, and able to do more so that is not an issue anymore. I just stumbled upon this site and I am looking forward to learning more and sharing. My husband had sleeve on November 12 -- he is doing very well and tells me he is not hungry. We have several friends at our church who have had sleeve, adn one has had the full by-pass. This is a helpful support group. I need help! I am hungry! No-not my stomach, my head. I am following doctor's orders and as of yesterday started logging what I eat, when, so I don't under or over eat...nothing too crazy. I made a column on the left at half hour itme intervals, then I just write something like 1/3 cup Protein drink, or 1/2 cup Soup. I take my time and literally a 1/2 cup of clear liquid soup may take me an hour to eat. But I want more and I wan to chew! Please, please tell me this will go away! Anyone who experienced similar and can help me get over this would be a God-send. I was looking forward to not being hungry as a way to help through this, so I am also sad. It seems like it is harder than I thought it would be. Thanks!