Lissa

Thanks, Star!

Mine was delayed due to an actual clot. There are several ways to prevent clots from developing, and from moving after they develop. Be cooperative with your doctors if they suggest a filter, meds, or shots to treat the clots. Good luck!

I was prescribed liquid Loritab for pain. My bottle is STILL sitting on my desk unopened after 9 months. I suppose I should do something with it....

All you can do is hold your head up high and ignore the haters. This surgery is life-saving for many of us, no matter what negative people want to say. Once your results are showing, they will all be singing a different tune and saying how proud of you they are. My husband (STBEx) was so negative that he actually told me I just needed "to eat less and exercise" instead of having surgery. I flipped him the bird and kept moving forward. Now, 100 pounds lighter, he tells me and everyone else how proud of me he is and how happy he is that I'm doing "great things for my health". @@ Just do what you know is right and come here for your support!

I agree, at least getting out there and trying is making the effort. You'll be surpirsed at how quickly you see and feel the results, too! I hated the helliptical when I first started doing it..and I could only do about 1:30 on it. Now, I do half an hour without a problem and I've done an hour on it a few times. I definitely know it has to be switched up, though. I threw in 30 minutes on the bike the other day and it about kicked my tush, even though I've been doing the bike since right after surgery! Zumba hasn't been on my to do list yet, but I've done the 30 minute circuit at my gym a couple of times now and, even though it looks easy, it's enough to get my heart rate pumping! I just keep switching up and trying new things. Just think, I ran track in high school and didn't feel half this athletic!

There are quite a few You Tube videos which show before and afters.

I don't take bariatric specific vitamins. I take Spectravite (CVS generic for Centrum) multivitamins daily, plus Nature's Way B12 and biotin.

You are looking great!!

I have a cup that I make Water with Mio in daily and it has a straw that I use. I eat pretty much whatever I want, just smaller portions as others have said. I have had alcohol a few times, keep a case of diet caffeine free soda here and have one a couple of times a week, and, in general, eat regular food for my meals. If I'm going to the gym early in the day, then I'll have a Protein bar for Breakfast. If not, then I have an egg and a piece of sausage for breakfast. I don't feel like I'm "on a diet". This is just my new reality and I like it. Being down 100 pounds and looking better in my clothes helps a lot, too! I also just bought myself a Keurig (part of my Century Club gift to myself) and I've been enjoying my decaf coffee and tea from it.

I still love the taste of spicy food, but Rex (my sleeve) is just now allowing me to eat anything remotely spicy without complaining about it loudly.

At over 100 pounds lost, I have bought a pair of jeans for every other size change and I buy two pair of work slacks for each size change (black and brown). I wear work out clothes until I feel like I'm in danger of them falling off me, but then I have to buy several sets because I don't want to wash them every single day. Usually I buy work out pants/shorts and let the shirts just get bigger. I do buy that absolute smallest size I can get on my body because I know they'll be big quickly. I would say that around 6 to 7 months is when I started really buying clothes, thinking that the weight loss has slowed down a lot. However, my size is now changing faster than my weight on the scale, so be careful about spending big money on anything.

I get the starvation mode warning every single day. It also tells me my calories are set way too low, but I don't care. I check my protein by going to "home" and "daily". As long as I'm over 70g of protein, I don't worry about the other stats.

You had a rocky start, so I'm thrilled to see you posting and sounding so upbeat and positive!! I love the list, too! I can so relate to all of it! You're rocking that sleeve!!!

Yay! You're rocking that sleeve! Great job!

This is the toughest part of the journey, IMO. After you're back on solids, it will all seem like a dream and like it wasn't that big a deal, but it's huge when you're going through it. For the need to chew, I suggest ice or SF popsicles (let it melt in your mouth after chewing). Also, if your doc hasn't got you on an acid reducer, ask him or her about it. It really helps with the head hunger. My first mushie was refried Beans and they were AMAZING! Two bites and I was done, but they tasted wonderful! Good luck! I know it's tought, but it will be worth it.

Boots, That's how we all have to start. Keep taking those baby steps until you're ready for the next level! BTW, my 30 minutes of cardio a day elicited the best comment I've ever heard from a doctor. He said my new EKG (as opposed to one a year ago) was "sexy as he$*)! I've improved my cardiac functioning and breathing enough that he says my effective age is a year younger than my actual age... and TEN YEARS younger than my EKG and breathing tests showed this time last year. Woo Hooo.

I tend to concentrate more on time than calories. I don't know if that's right or not, but I'm required to do at least 30 minutes of cardio per day to stay off a prescription drug. That may influence my mindset.

I want this with a 13 at the top (for 13 o'clock, representing that it's finally time for ME) and instead of the clock numbers, I want the final 3 digit number of my weight loss scattered in there...

I love NSV's, especially ones that really reaffirm why we made this decision! Congrats to you for rocking your sleeve AND your clothes!

My only comment is good luck! I know nothing about which works best to cure a stricture, but I definitely feel for you!

I love Mio drops! My preferences are the Strawberry Watermelon and the Orange Tangerine. Yummy!

I had two clots sitting in mine when they removed it. Don't stress (easy to say), as that's the worst thing you can do at this point. Take your coumadin/warfarin, and walk when they say you can walk. good luck!!

You do not have to eat the calories you burn.