MegInNOLA

I think you should go, enjoy your popcorn, and stop feeling guilty!! I personally got this sleeve so that I didn't have to obsess. That's how I roll, and it's okay. :-) Enjoy your birthday and your popcorn!!! It's not like you're diving off the edge into the popcorn abyss....

WOW! Congratulations to you! Sounds like your whole life has improved--I bet you feel fantastic!! Meg

Congratulations, and thanks for posting such a great list of NSV's.... can't wait to have them, too, and your list definitely is motivation!! Enjoy!! Meg

This is a note to KellyW-- It took me a lot longer to be able to eat than most people--I think some of us stay swollen longer, and it just takes more time for the swelling to go down. I noticed today that I actually "chugged" 5 big swallows of Gatorade before I thought about it, and nothing bad happened. Two weeks ago, that would have come right back up immediately. I would also make sure you're on the right dose of PPI (because excess acid is horrible for keeping your tummy swollen up!). You might find relief with an additional med or a change in dose--and you don't have to wait to see your doc to try it. Hang in there; even my horrible "can't eat without getting sick" issues are gradually getting better. Sometimes it just takes longer than we want!! (and it doesn't help that it seems like everyone else is doing so great, and you feel like you can't even eat a couple of bites!!! I feel ya!!) Meg

Congratulations to you--seems like as you've lost weight, you have definitely gained insight and confidence!! Way to go!! Meg

Congratulations, both on your amazing weight loss and your upcoming nuptials!!! How wonderful and exciting! Meg

Wow, you look so much younger! That's an amazing difference! Thanks for sharing! Meg

Well, y'all know I'm right there with you, 6 weeks out (sleeved 4/18) and still unable to eat more than 2 tablespoons of food at a time at the most--the amount of food I can eat seems to have actually gotten smaller since I first started mushies. On top of the small amount of food I can handle, I have a VERY limited and ever-changing repertoire of foods that my sleeve will accept...I've been ill every day since surgery except for a 4-day run last week with no throwing up (best 4 days of my life so far post-sleeve!). Prilosec made a difference, but that's not the only issue, obviously. I have no experience with bulimia/anorexia or any sort of yo-yo dieting pre-sleeve, so I don't think it's a "head" issue, if that makes sense. SO I got depressed and angry and then I got sensible and made a plan. I eat a small amount of food every 3 hours. If it stays down, great. If not, I try something else at the next 3-hour point. I don't push the amount of food--that's a sure-fire way to lose it--and I eat slowly, small bites, thoroughly chewed. I have 1 sip of Water after eating to clear my throat, and that's it for drinking close to meals. I don't worry about calories or carbs at all right now. Frankly, I NEED the calories and the energy. This is really different from what others are doing, I know, but I don't seem to fit any of the "norms" of recovery, and I do need to have my brain and body working to be able to function and do my job. Exercise-wise, I occasionally walk, and I'm a choir director (which is surprisingly physically taxing), and I'm not likely to add anything more strenuous than that for a while, until I can routinely get my calories above 800 (I run between 300 and 400 most days). It is what it is. Once I came to peace with that, I was fine--and stalls SUCK!!! I have had 2 week-long stalls that seemed to only break when I was able to get a few days' worth of okay eating in. We can do it, ladies!!! Just hang in there, make a plan, and go with it. I imagine we'll feel so much better about this in about 6 months. It's hard to feel good about it at this point, at least for me, but it's here, it's real, and I have to deal with it. Edited to add that I LOVE Peanut Butter and use it daily. Meg

I hate kitchen appliances, but I LOVE my Magic Bullet!! It really does work quickly--and you can zap up small amounts perfect for post-surgery mushies. And the storage tops and ease of microwave/fridge/dishwasher is cool. I definitely use mine almost daily. Meg

Hey congratulations!! I think you're doing GREAT! I know you're happy with that milestone--I'm really looking forward to the 50-pounds-gone mark!! Way to go!!! Meg

Wow, congratulations to you! How exciting!! Meg

I like my gummies....I think they're One-A-Day, but they taste good and I can tolerate them. Tried a sublingual B12 and just about lost it--wasn't bad-tasting, but sleevie doesn't like, so... still hunting a good B12 option. Meg

Congratulations! How wonderful for you--and that you're still losing, albeit maybe more slowly. Good luck in continuing to your goals! Meg

I did experience a strange kind of mourning after surgery--not necessarily mourning food, just missing my routines. I missed the routine of stopping for Breakfast at that cute little place on the way to work; I missed stopping in the coffee shop after work for a coffee and croissant; I missed going to dinner with my husband and enjoying all kinds of delicious food (we live just north of New Orleans). But really, I couldn't eat after surgery for a few weeks (liquids, thank you!), and during that time, I developed new routines and new habits. I still would like to do some of the things that I did before, but thanks to the sleeve, I know I will be able to be healthy and make healthier decisions. And I know that I will lose weight and keep it off, even if slowly, and I know I wouldn't have ever done that "on my own." Best wishes! Meg

Hi y'all: Before I had surgery, I went to the Vitalady site and ordered a LOT of individual samples of various Protein powders. I don't know what I was thinking. My sleeve has become much more sensitive and I cannot tolerate the protein powders--this is NOT the fault of the products, which are perfectly fine, but I just can't use them. Would any of you like a box of this stuff? There's probably 50 different unopened samples of Protein powder in each box (although I honestly haven't counted), lots of flavors, lots of brands. They're all from Vitalady (different brands she carries) with a couple from Jay Robb (purchased at GNC) and a couple from unjury (purchased from them directly). I want to get rid of both boxes. I imagine there is someone out there who is interested in trying these (especially if you're a self-pay and don't have a lot of money left over to purchase a bunch of protein powders). If you're willing to pay for shipping, I'll mail a box to you. Respond here, please; I'll PM the first two people and get your mailing addresses, etc. Meg

Hey y'all: I was sleeved April 18. I'm on my 3rd week-long stall since surgery and, in fact, have only lost 10 pounds since the 2nd week--so 10 pounds in a month. That's okay, but not what I expected post-sleeve. After a quick google, I noted that some people seem to need their meds adjusted UP (as in, their thyroid isn't working as well) after surgery. For those of you who don't know, being hypothyroid means you don't have enough thyroid hormone to kick your body's metabolism into gear. It's almost impossible to lose weight if your thyroid isn't within normal levels. It's measured by checking thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)---if your thyroid isn't working, your thyroid stimulating hormone will be high, and you probably need thyroid replacement (Synthroid, levothyroxine, etc. etc.). So I'm wondering now if my slow weight loss and frequent stalls, despite eating fewer than 500 calories a day (not by choice, believe me--my sleeve is exceptionally picky), might be due to a hormonal thing. I'm scheduling an appointment with my doc as soon as she can see me to get labs, but meanwhile, I thought I would ask this very experienced group of folks. Did your thyroid level change after surgery? Thanks-- Meg

Hi there! My sister, her husband, and her daughter have all had bypass. My husband has had the sleeve. Of these four, the three with bypass have all had some form of complication or other (iron deficiency anemia, bleeding ulcers, and Vitamin deficiency)--and my husband has had no problems at all. I know the bypass has been the surgery of choice for years, but I really didn't even consider surgery prior to learning about the sleeve.... I wanted to keep the top and bottom of the stomach intact--less chance of acid issues, ulcers, etc.--and all I really needed is volume restriction. As others have said, the decision of whether or not to have surgery and which type is a very personal one. Do what's best for you.. Best wishes! Meg

Wow, congratulations! What a terrific accomplishment!! Meg

I'm right there with you! I'm having trouble getting over 500 a day, seriously. Yesterday I had 350 cals. I can't eat very much food at one time, plus can't tolerate Protein shakes, so I'm sort of stuck with the small amount of food--I'm satisfied hunger-wise, but the scale isn't moving except with regard to Water (like a pound every 3rd day or so).... I'm hoping, like you, that a year from now we'll be able to look back and smile, but you're right, for now, it's really hard! It's hard to know that you're doing what you can but it's not having the results that you'd like; it feels like for all this limitation, we should be much further along, doesn't it!? But at this point, all we can do is keep trying until we find the combination that works. I'm still trying to hit water and protein goals, but thanks to my PPI, am no longer throwing up every day (yay)... so I'm claiming that as progress and am moving on to the next stage--getting my calories up by eating a LOT of snack-type meals of protein throughout the day. I guess. We'll see. It's really hard to eat when one isn't hungry. Hang in there! Meg

What a horrid day. Sorry you had to experience that. I completely "get" you when you say you either want to see some weight drop or want to be able to eat a little more--I feel that way, too! I think you did well thinking of the Peanut Butter crackers--not the best food in the world, but some Protein and easy to tolerate under stressful situations.... Hang in there. Here's hoping that the rest of your week is peaceful! Meg

Hey Kelly: Sounds like you're experiencing the same thing I did when I started mushies. You might want to go to an "in between" stage, where you eat the mushie-type food, but much more liquid than normal. For instance, chicken salad zapped in the bullet, just add a tiny bit of Water to thin it out a little bit more. Be sure you're taking TINY bites--I know you said you weren't rushing, but for me, the size of the bites and the time I spend chewing definitely matter in how easily the food goes down (and stays down, hopefully!). Also, try not to eat right before lying down--give your food time to get into the transport process before you go to bed. At least you have a bit more variety in food now! Meg

You know it's just Water weight from the sodium in the Clamato juice... :-) Double up on your water and it will be gone (probably plus more) in a couple of days. Meg

Love it!! Congratulations--you're seeing some wonderful progress, stall or no. Yay you!!

You look terrific! Congratulations!!

What is/was your losing plan: How far out from surgery you are what percentage have you lost? 5 weeks, 1 day. I've lost 25% of my excess weight. How many times a day are you eating? 4 What is the amount of normal food (non liquid) you are now able to get down? 2 tablespoons (but they stay down, yay!!!) What kind of supplements are you taking? Types and Brands Vitamin B12, One a Day Craves gummy multi, Ester-C gummy C, Prilosec, Pepcid Complete How much Protein are you supposed to be getting and how much are you actually getting in daily and what are your sources of protein (brands of shakes etc), Dietician's goal 110 g. Actually getting around 30 or so. Working on it. Food sources only--can't tolerate shakes or bars. How much Water you are actually getting down each day Around 32 oz. What is your exercise routine, type of exercise, and how often. Walking, not enough.... now that my energy level is perking up, this should improve. How is your energy level? Now it's great!! Feeling more like my pre-surgical self. Brain functioning and feeling sharp.