Lissa

Yay for both of you!!! Isn't it great to know that you are getting healthier, lighter, and even better looking than you were before!! Don't forget to take your progress pics, even if you don't show them. You'll "see" the weight coming off you better in pictures than in the mirror!

Yay! It's meant to be!!

I was told 6-8 weeks OR when the drain port had completely healed over, no scab.

Thanks, Cassandra!!

Good luck to you both!! Hope you both have a quick and easy recovery!!

Oh, Danielle, if you prefer to be called that, why not ask people to do so? I don't think "good hugs" require us to be heavy, either! I'm sorry that you feel like a cartoon character, although I get what you're saying. If it makes you feel any better, the people that I remember long-term are those who were caring and compassionate, and their size(s) don't matter. I remember the heart of the person, not the look of the person, if that makes sense. Again, ForensikChik, I think it's a wonderful thing to do for your sister!!! Your reasoning makes perfect sense to me! I love my sissy to death, too!!

Swimmer, Most doctors do allow the isopure clear drinks during the clear liquid phase. If you can stand them, then drink them unless your doctor says no. As for getting scared, that's normal just before any big decision. Just remind yourself about why you wanted this surgery and put your trust in a higher power. I haven't heard of any sleever who didn't have some fear in the last few days before surgery. Good luck!! We've got a spot saved for you on the loser's bench!

Cosmic, I ate egg drop soup, WITHOUT the eggs, a few days post op. I loved chicken broth during my liquids phase, so it was wonderful, but I didn't eat the eggs until I got to full liquids. If you can tolerate it, it's fine to drink. You should be aware, though, that many chinese restaurants make egg drop soup with a lot of sodium and with MSG. For me, MSG can cause headaches, so be sure to ask the restaurant if they use it in their soup. Mine doesn't use MSG in the soup, for which I am very grateful!! Good luck!

I think that God watches over us, whether we want Him to or not. He created everything in this world and He doesn't make junk. However, He allows us to make choices for ourselves and He already knows what we are going to do before we even know. I truly believed I would die during surgery, so when I woke up I felt that He had something else in mind for me to accomplish. He gave us medicine so that we could live longer. As Benisa said, if you had a heart problem, or cancer, or diabetes, you would treat those things. What is so different about treating obesity? Nothing. You can't do what He has in His plan for you if you're dead. Since having surgery, I've had plenty of opportunities to tell other people about my WLS and to tell them that I feel it's a miracle that I'm still alive. Maybe that's what I'm supposed to do...maybe there is something else coming, but I know that God provided this opportunity and I need to make the most of the gift He's given me.

Forensikchik, It's pure jealousy, IMO. I have several aunts who have made sly comments about WLS, but I know every one of them would kill to have it done. One of my good friends was here the other night and was sighing wistfully, wishing she could have the surgery. Once she finishes her nursing degree, I'm betting she will be looking into getting it done...and I'll be cheering her along just like she has done for me! I think it's amazing that you're helping your sister out! Did I read that right? What an amazing gift!!!

Thanks, Dorrie! I don't "like" this picture as much as my last one, but I figured it was time to update it, since I'm due to take more pictures in six days! I am taking a pic at least once a month so that I can see and show my progress on my way to goal. Hopefully, they will help motivate me once I reach goal as well!

I had diarrhea because I became lactose intolerant after surgery. Perhaps try avoiding milk and dairy for a day or two and see if it improves?

I get what you're saying about people feeling it was "safe" to be friends with you because you weren't a threat to their relationships. However, when it really comes down to it, looks may get someone's attention initially, but what's inside is what truly matters. Look at how many people here are in long term relationships. I met and married my husband while I was over 300 pounds, although he has issues of his own that made my personality very attractive to him. As for your wife saying that you couldn't do any better, perhaps you can't. I'm not putting you down, just saying that maybe she really IS the perfect person for you! Good luck on your journey!! The head work is tougher than the weight loss, IMO.

Sounds like you're doing serious head work right now!! Good for you! Enjoy the attention, although I get why it bugs you somewhat. You've really done great things with your sleeve and it was all so EASY, right? The workouts you talk about are what no one seems to get...if you want to succeed at this, you HAVE to WORK at this. Congrats on feeling and looking better!!!

Ophelia, I'm over 4 months out and have a hard time hitting 1,000 calories a day unless I'm really hungry from working out that day. Of course, "really hungry" can usually be handled by eating a cheese stick or a couple ounces of chicken.

Yeah, I'd make an alcoholic stop drinking before rehab. I'm actually dealing with an alcoholic hubby right now and MY requirement for us to have a relationship is that he stop drinking, period. And, yes, I think it's fair for our doctors to require us to show some kind of motivation by losing weight before surgery. The surgeon has only so much time available to do surgeries and he wants to see results from his hard work, just like anyone else. If we, the patients, can't control and motivate ourselves somewhat before surgery, then how does the surgeon know we're going to do so after surgery? I know my doc has a waiting list of patients who want to be sleeved by him. Now, the other side of that coin is that I think it's ridiculous to expect a long-term obese person to lose 10% of their body weight before surgery. Why do I think that? Because I lost 50 pounds the year before my surgery, then got hit with health problems that packed that 50 pounds, plus more, back onto me. I'd have never been able to lose 35 pounds (10% of 352) before surgery. I did drop 13 pounds on my pre-op liquid diet, which I think shows that I was motivated to lose weight. I see both sides of it. I just think that some surgeons require more than others, which is fine. But, that requirement has to be adjusted to the patient and the patient's health status.

yecats, I think a positive attitude is the best thing you can do for yourself, too!! You've got half the battle won already if you can stay positive. Good luck!!

First of all, muscle weighs more than fat, so you may actually be building muscle. Secondly, your body is still pushing out fluids from surgery. Third, you may still be in the 3 week stall. Mine lasted about 2 weeks. It's not something you can change. Your body needs time to adjust to having a smaller stomach and to the reduced amount you're eating. Fourth, if you're anywhere near TOM, you may be holding Water. No matter which one of the above is the cause, you'll probably see a whoosh in a few days where you lose a few pounds really quickly. But, right now, your body is shrinking, so you may notice the difference in your clothes before you see it on the scale. Good luck!!

I haven't noticed that. I just keep having slow connections to threads tonight.

Starr, go very slowly on that elliptical, please! I'd even suggest just walking until you're about six weeks out. I wasn't allowed to lift weights until six weeks. Maybe your doctor is pushing because you're a much lower BMI than I was to start. I might ask for some clarification from him about what he thinks you can do and can't do. His nurse should be able to answer that question!

Cattracks, You're rocking that sleeve!! Your doctor is overly cautious, IMO. Once you're diagnosed, you have a pre-disposition for diabetes for life, but many people control their blood sugar through diet and exercise. My MIL stayed off the pills/shots for 25 years with diet and exercise. Because she also has RA, she's now back on pills to control her diabetes, but it's not because of her weight. I'd say 25 med-free years is awesome, and I'd take that over being overweight any day!

I actually tried dairy a few days out from surgery. I haven't been brave enough for milk since then. I drink almond or soy milk now, if I drink milk at all. Welcome to the loser's bench! It sounds like you are doing well. Good luck!!