Lissa

You're six weeks post op already? If that 's correct, then you can start with any type of exercise you like. I know, most of us didn't like any exercise before, so my recommendation is to start with walking. Walk more today than you did yesterday. Try walking from your door to the end of the driveway, or to the house next door. Add a little bit more each day, one house, two houses, three houses until you're walking around the block. Add a little more each day. Start today lifting some small weights. I started out with 2 pound weights, doing 10 reps each of a few basic arm exercises: bicep curls, tricep kick backs, front arm raises and skull crushers (hold your arms straight above your head with the weight in your hand, lower and raise your arm to complete one rep). I couldn't walk from my front door to my car without being out of breath pre-op and I literally started out walking up and down my hallway, then around my apartment building. Now, 15 months later, I do 45 minutes on the elliptical at least 3 days a week. I still life weights and I'm "only" up to 10 pound weights, but I have a full routine I do several times a week. I have bicep, triceps, thigh, and stomach muscles that are VISIBLE. A little at a time adds up quickly. Good luck!

Amen, Gman! I haven't lost significant weight in several months, a pound here and there, but I've lost sizes in clothing, inches off my waist and hips, and I feel amazing! I work out with weights daily and spend 45 minutes on the elliptical at least 3 days a week. I've slowed down a lot due to issues with my gallbladder, but I'm not gaining weight and I'm still watching my body transform at 15 months out. I'll take it... forget the scale. The scale is a liar!

Take a shower. Put another bandaid on if it makes you feel better, but I showered with mine for 8 days with no problems. I'm allergic to latex, so no bandaids on mine at all. I couldn't swim or tub bathe until all the incisions healed completely, but I was allowed to shower and wash my hair two days after surgery.

I had a lanyard that I hung around my neck and fed the drain tube through. It helped tons when I was in the shower because it supported the drain so that I could use both hands to wash my hair and bathe. If you're concerned about water getting into your incision, you might put a bandaid over the opening on your skin.

Was in another town today to do a home loan closing. The realtor came in and talked to me like he had no clue who I am! He's there regularly because his wife is one of the sales people at that community. It wasn't until after the closing that it dawned on him that I'm the same closer that's been coming there for years! LOL

I just want to congratulate Tina on being the Spotlighted Member today!! I've learned so much from her, especially about enjoying the journey! This is NOT a race, it's a journey to a new, healthier us...and Tina is the person who taught me that. Her million dollar smile makes it that much better!

Proud Granny, You just brought me to tears. :***)

Thanks, everyone. ProudGranny, I'm in and out here. Still working that new business like a crazy person... and still having gallbladder problems. It was supposed to come out on September, then the surgeon and I decided to wait and see. Now it's acting up again really badly, so we've scheduled it for mid-December unless it really gets bad quickly.

Despite losing all this weight, I'm still using my bi-pap machine because my sleep apnea has not resolved. Today I had to make a run to the office of the company that services my bi-pap machine for supplies. While there, I talked to the tech (Mary) who handles my case and she asked me about the pain level and complication rates of the sleeve. Since this gal is tiny, I was curious about why she was asking these questions and she took me deep into the office to meet one of her co-workers, who I'll call Jane. Jane is about 300 pounds, in her mid-30's and has been researching WLS, including both the band and the sleeve. Mary asked me to talk to Jane about my surgery and I was really happy that I keep before and after photos on my phone. I was able to answer quite a few questions for Jane, and for a couple of other ladies in the office. One of the other ladies in there made the comment that I've lost her entire body weight...and then she told Jane that WLS is a drastic step "just to lose some weight". I spoke up and said, "Yeah, it's drastic. It's also life-saving". Mary backed me up on how sad, sick, and dejected I was before my sleeve. None of them could deny that I am happier, more willing to talk to strangers and much more energetic now that I was pre-op. I don't know if Jane will look into VSG, but I gave her my phone number, my doctor's phone number, his website, and directions to VST (here!). Mary, the tech, told me that she mentions me often to people who she thinks would benefit from WLS because she's seen my progress over the last 15 months. Strangely enough, I don't mind that she tells people about my story. IMO, if I inspire one person to create a new life for themselves, then it's worth it for people to talk about me. I felt like a million bucks being able to tell Jane my story...and that Mary felt my story was important and special enough to drag me in to see her friend.

You may have an ulcer or your gallbladder may be acting up. Go see your doctor... it could be something as simple as needing an acid reducer. Good luck!

I'm sorry to hear that, but Good Luck.

I eat a mini babybel cheese every morning before I take my vitamins because otherwise the iron in the multi makes me sick.

Congrats!! You're rocking that sleeve!

You look adorable pregnant!!! Congrats on doing so well. Hopefully everything will be fine.

Dana, I was on the recumbent bike one day, riding like zombies were chasing me, when I suddenly had a small panic attack that I might actually starve to death someday because I wouldn't be able to eat with my sleeve. Mind you, I was 7 months out at the time and eating plenty of food daily, so I have NO clue where that stray thought came from. I beat that thought down, finished my workout and decided to live the rest of my life HAPPY about this surgery. I wouldn't be alive today without my sleeve.

Take your pain meds and walk. I hope the pain/pressure eases up for you quickly!

fyre, Not everyone has the same experience with tastes changing. Mine did, but I think the pre-op diet was part of those changes for me. Mine was very restrictive and I couldn't handle anything sweet for several months after surgery. Of course, I made the mistake of having some chocolate and lost that revulsion! Don't worry if your experience isn't exactly the same as everyone else's. It's also good that you aren't having a problem with Water. You will do better on staying hydrated since you can drink it easily. Good luck!!

Thanks, Aussiegirl!

You're not just rocking that sleeve, you're knocking it out of the park!!

My hibicleanse was clear and I had to use it for 3 days pre-op, plus do a liquid diet for 3 weeks prior. It was So worth it... and I had to take Lovenox shots, plus get an IVC filter installed/removed due to blood clot issues prior to surgery.

I usually eat a protein bar on the way to the gym. My morning routine is up at 5:30, eat a mini babybel, take my vitamins/meds with a bottle of water, get dressed for the gym, eat a protein bar on the way to the gym, at the gym by 6:30, workout, then back home to shower and start my day by 9. Since I drink a full bottle of water at the gym, I've got half my water requirement in by 9 am, plus 36 grams of protein between the babybel and the protein bar. It's working for me so far.

I threw away a couple of bottles of liquid vitamins in favor of chewables. I switched to non-chewable vitamins at 7-8 months post-op, with my doctor's permission.

Letia, I'm 14 months out from surgery. The first 70 came off like water...everything else has been a definite worked for pound. BUT, I'm also down from a 24/26 to a 14/16 depending on the cut of clothes and I'm now losing inches faster than pounds. Exercise works!