Lissa

I watched cooking shows for the 8 days that I was off work, non-stop. I was fascinated by them for some strange reason. I still like Chopped and things like that, but I'm not watching Paula Deen (too much butter) or Giada (irritates the crap out of me now).

I KWYM. I was thrilled when I finally could wear a pair of jeans again, rather than ship's sails passing for pants! Now, I've dropped 3 sizes in them in less than 2 months. I give up on buying new jeans and will just stick to "work pants" until I get closer to goal.

Congrats!! Welcome to the loser's bench!!

Paola, All I can imagine is that he wants to "encourage" you to stay strong and stick to the path you are now walking. Some people don't know how to express their feelings well, even though they mean well. BTW, Do you work for a car loan company?

Yay!! LOVE those NSVs!!!

CT, I'm glad you're working on it. She definitely sounds like a great gal!!

That's a question for your PCP, for sure. Do you already have blood clot issues? I did have a DVT before surgery. I took a 3,000 mile trip where I drove in October and my pulmonologist required that I get out of the car and walk every hour on the hour. I didn't have to do lots, just walk around my car at least once every time I stopped. I tried to make sure I walked some distance every time, but I absolutely made sure I walked every single hour, even if it meant that I had to pull over to the side of the highway. I do this at home now, too. If I'm on the computer, I get up and walk around every half hour or so, and I make sure I have ample time to stop and walk if I'm doing a lot of driving on work days. Since my job requires me to sit a lot, I try to fidget as well. I flex my legs up and down, make sure I bend and twist a lot and, in general, keep myself moving so the blood keeps circulating. You "should" be okay as long as you can get up and walk some on the plane every hour, but your PCP or surgeon can give you a more definitive answer.

Well, again, I'm sorry for the loss of your mother in law. I'm glad you aren't wearing those huge shirts around on a daily basis!

I take Biotin daily, make sure I get my protein and I'm losing some at 4.5 months post-op. I was super proactive, though and already bought a wig that looks like my natural hair cut/color (maybe I should say normal instead of natural since I've been coloring my hair for years). I found a wig place that was going out of business before Christmas and splurged.

I agree with Lady Mac! You look great and need to get rid of those shirts! Let them go free into the wild so someone else can enjoy them. YOU need some smaller clothes! BTW, is "Paula" one of the ladies in the video? I'm sorry for your loss!

My understanding of why so much Protein is that we are using the protein both to heal our bodies and to help keep our bodies from going after our muscles (instead of fat stores) while we are losing weight. There are several charts that list good protein sources, including cheese, broth, meat, Beans, some veggies (greens and spinach especially). That might help give you some variety rather than trying to get down a Protein shake every day. I think most of them are nasty, although Premier makes one that has 30 grams of protein in 11 ounces of shake that is doable. Are you allowed coffee at all? I drink decaf coffee nearly every day and I'm not having problems with constipation. Regular coffee had the same effect on me before surgery. Good luck with your journey!!

I personally will either reheat food in the microwave or I'll take a tiny bit of meat and eat that portion, leaving the rest in the pan. If I'm still hungry, I can have more that's still hot.

I am mostly avoiding bread, potatos, Pasta and rice, although I'm not fanatical about it. My doc's diet plan says that toasted bread is allowed in the mushy stage. They don't recommend regular bread at all. I have had some bread, maybe 4 pieces since being sleeved 4 months ago. I did Atkins in 2010 (and before that) and lost 50 pounds. Because of the time spent on Atkins, I don't really crave carby foods. My experience with Atkins also convinced me that I stay full longer on Proteins rather than a combo of Protein and carbs. Bread, rice and pasta also fill up my sleeve too quickly, IMO, so I prefer to eat protein-rich foods and veggies instead. YMMV. Good luck!!

You bought her a ring yet? She sounds like a keeper to me!!

yeah, the head work is the hardest part, especially when your self-esteem has been STOMPED. Good luck! I'm looking forward to hearing that you are in counselling and working through your issues.

That would be great! You could also ask for it to be "pinned" so the thread stays at the top of that forum to make it easier for new visitors to find.

It IS possible to defeat the sleeve, just like any other weight loss surgery. But, you're going to classes at Kaiser? I'm assuming yes. They will help you work on your food issues and, if they don't, then I recommend you find a counsellor who will help you work on them. The surgeon sleeves our stomachs, not our heads, so the head work has to be done by us, either before surgery, or afterwards. Good luck!!

Lucky me, I can't STAND coconut and couldn't before surgery! Thanks, PDXMan!

Big Daddy, There is a forum for posters to list their surgeons and hospitals, with the ability to review their doctors. Maybe this post should go there? I think it would make it easier for those researching surgeons to find it if it were in that forum.

No, Anderson, I have not turned nasty to you. I am stating the facts as I see them. If I were nasty, I would have said something negative about you. I didn't do that; I simply didn't agree with everything you said. One thing I learned in counseling is that "We can disagree and still be friends". After your posts that I took to imply you thought the surgery patient was lying, I looked her up to see if she had ever posted before and she has. Her posts have been about various things, so I'm inclined to believe that she is posting her personal experience.

I personally think you're a little too optimistic. Some of the higher BMI people lose that kind of weight in six months, and some of the guys, but I've seen very few people that are "only" (sorry best word I could find) 300 pounds lose 150 pounds in that time frame. For reference, I started at 352, lost 13 pounds pre-op, and have dropped another 68 pounds since surgery 4.5 months ago. 81 pounds is a fantastic loss, IMO, but it has slowed down a bunch since the first month where I dropped 27 pounds. Realistically, depending on what you lose/lost pre-op and how that first month goes, you should make it to 100 pounds lost in about six months or so. Besides, losing a little slower helps (some) with the skin issues, as in it doesn't look quite as bad, so there is a benefit to it. Now, you may LOOK like you've lost 150 pounds at six months, depending on your exercise levels. Even though it weighs more, muscle looks better in clothes than fat looks!

I'm very happy with my sleeve. My sister in law had the GB (and two revision surgeries) and has regained all her weight, despite have horrible malabsorption and dumping issues. She's given me some great advice on how to avoid sliming and vomiting, unfortunately she's knowledgeable about it because she has such tough issues of her own! I'd do the sleeve again in a heartbeat, but I'd rather be fat than have GB or RNY. I know that because I waiting years for a new procedure that wasn't GB or RNY to appear on the horizon. After learning about the sleeve, I feel like angels are singing and the sun is shining! Yes, I'd do the sleeve again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fluffy, At 3 weeks out, I could NOT have eaten half a cup of anything, mushy or not. If it's causing you pain, perhaps try measuring out 2 ounces for yourself, eat it slowly, then give it a few minutes. If you're still hungry, you can always have more. It's hard to 'un-eat' if you've had that one bite too much. I'm grossed out by the thought of sliming or vomiting, so I always try to eat a little less than I need to fill me up. I don't always accomplish it, because I had my first ICK session last week, but I try. Mine was because I took a drink much too soon after I finished eating. Good luck!!

Oh, Rosy, I despise red and green peppers since surgery for some reason. I do eat some raw broccoli as well and it does fill me up. The celery I ate was part of a meal, chicken, celery and some bbq sauce as dip for the chicken for that "hot wing" substitute experience.

I've been to a few others, and I used to post on the lap band forum before I decided to go with the sleeve instead. I am comfy here, although there is good info at OH and other places as well. Good luck with whatever you decide.