Lissa

I'm an NSV 'ho! I so understand the feeling!!

Are you taking Biotin and Multivitamins every day? If not, now is the time to start the biotin. Also, my hairdresser tells me not to wash my hair every day. Ideally, she'd like me to only wash it once or twice a week. I do condition mine every time I wash it, mostly because I color mine as well. Good luck!!

I fibbed. I actually bought the CVS version of the Centrum chewables today. They have exactly the same vitamins in them.

I think the OP is using the Optifast as her PRE op diet. But, some people are also required to use optifast until they start mushy foods as well. As for someone doing it further out, I have no idea. Perhaps their doctor or nut has suggested it as a way to break a stall? I'm in the "try to get your Protein from food" camp myself. Of course, I know a gal who had WLS that still drinks Protein shakes exclusively at 2 years plus post op. She ends up in hospital regularly with dehydration issues and I honestly think she has anorexia now, because she still sees her fat self at 145 pounds.

I know nothing about DS, but I think you should expect that your sleeve will work.

Interesting video!

CVS is where I get mine.

I think a seminar is a great first step towards WLS. Usually they are conducted by the surgeon and you can ask questions about the various types your surgeon performs. At mine, there was one couple that asked tons of questions that I had never thought to ask .VERY informative!

Is there a reason you don't want to do a chewable vitamin like Centrum chewables? That's what I've been using since surgery and it's been working well for me.

A special kind of liquid protein shake that is used by some surgeons as their pre-op liquid diet requirement.

Well, congrats and you go girl! I'm impressed that you are dedicated enough to travel that far for surgery. Just an FYI for you, sometimes you can deduct mileage for medical purposes, so keep track of your expenses and mileage for the tax man!

Yeah, it's definitely weird that now we must make ourselves eat rather than haunt the kitchen constantly like I did pre-op!

I didn't have that pain, but Im impressed as heck that you ran up a flight of stairs!!

Magnolia, Most of the regular posters here refer to the foods mentioned by Foxbins as sliders because they are things that don't fill us up. She answered the question she thought you asked. As a matter of fact, that was the question I thought you asked as well. If you're referring to a particular food (like the hamburger she mentioned), no, it won't take you several hours to eat one. Of course, most of us realize that our hormones go NUTS after surgery from a combination of meds and the fat cells dumping hormones all over the place, so we know that sometimes things seem to be mean when they aren't. Please stick around and get the help and information you need here. Then you can pass it along to other new post-surgery patients later!

Those NSVs are as important, maybe even MORE important than the scale victories! YAY for you!! One of the first milestones I hit was car related as well, when I realized that my butt fit in the seat and the seat belt didnt dig into my hip anymore.

Pookey, I have deliberately not said a lot because I've been seeing a therapist for this issue, along with food issues. The last few weeks have shown me that hubby doesn't have the emotional ability to deal with me. He has withheld affection and attention as punishment for things he says I do wrong. I will not tolerate that, so I've cut the tie Lissa

Jess, My relationship with my SO was horrible before surgery, so I am no expert on this. The one thing I do notice is that, although I had good boundaries before surgery and had moved out from a potentially physically abusive relationship, my boundaries are even stronger now. I attribute that to my growing self-confidence and to therapy. As of yesterday, *I* called off any further attempts at reconcilliation because my alcoholic husband does not have the emotional ability to support ME. He has a little over 30 days in on his sobriety, but, IMO, we're not going to be able to fix this relationship. So, the biggest change is that I am less able to accept negativity from other people. And, as I said, Im not sure it's a result from surgery or if it is a result of therapy. Either way, it's a good thing, IMO!!

You should only weigh once a week or so. But, I have to confess that your pictures have encouraged me to keep exercising even when I'm not really feeling it.

Bumblestitch, Thanks for checking in with us! I'm thrilled to read your post, especially as our stats are very similar!

Awesome! You're rocking your sleeve!!

Wow! You do live up to your name, cutie pie!! You're rocking that sleeve and you look amazing! Congrats!!

I had to wait until all of my incisions were healed, not just scabbed over. Then I was given free reign!

Remember this: muscle weighs more than fat!! You are building muscle ... Just look at your arms! WOW!

I must be oblivious to that kind of thing because I wouldn't have even noticed the woman unless she actually said something to me about it. I definitely would have given her an eye roll if she was making it obvious that she was competing with you. How silly that some people must do things like that!!

I swallow most of my pills whole, except for my multi vitamin and calcium. I did cut up the antibiotic pills I was on last month and took it as two pieces on the advice of my physician. I plan to switch to a non-chewable multi when I buy them this month, if I can find something that isn't a horse pill. Of course, I've never liked swallowing big pills, even pre-op.