Lissa

If I'm reading your post right, no interest in drinking is not the same as unable to drink. Put yourself on a schedule to get your fluids in and keep drinking whether you eat or not. The 1.5 pound weight gain is probably because your body needed the IV fluids you were given. Don't let that stop you from drinking. Know that you must have water in your body in order to continue to lose weight and do so safely. One of the most important things I learned was that our body will eat muscle if we aren't providing it with the building blocks it needs (protein, water, vitamins) and it can cause major problems if the body decides that the heart muscle looks tasty. I've lost over 100 pounds and have some weakness in my heart despite being religious about the protein, water and vitamin routines. You must do what your body needs, even if you don't want to do it. Set yourself an alarm clock and drink an ounce of water every 15 minutes or so until you get to a point where you can do it without thinking about it. Do whatever it takes.

Hooray!! I'm always looking for those NSVs! Good for you!!

That is so awesome!! To have a man who supports your hopes and dreams is wonderful! I look forward to following your journey!

BTW, warm chicken broth was my favorite at your stage.

The gurgling is somewhat normal. It means your bowels are moving, which you know because you've gone to the bathroom. Walking helped me deal with the gas pain and gurling. Try only drinking water and clear liquids for the rest of the day and see if that doesnt calm your tummy sounds. It's possible that the protein drink and tomato juice are too much for your new sleeve to handle. I was actually told to avoid citrus and tomato based juices for the first month or so because they are very acidic.

I live about 5 minutes from the TA truckstop! I buy gas there all the time.

Thanks, Cheri!

Not a little black dress, but I love these pics. For reference

my toaster oven and my scale are my two best friends.

OTR, Let me know what your schedule for FL is and we'll see if we can't put together a few people to meet you! I'm in Vero Beach, which is halfway between Palm Beach and Melbourne.

I've read this thread several times and I keep thinking I should put down my thoughts, but I'm not sure how clear they are at this point. Please forgive me if this turns into a ramble. I have been going through pictures of myself the last few days and one thing I've noticed is that I was so unhappy in all of my older pictures. Not just because I was fat, but also because I was in a horrible emotional place. I was depressed and felt unloved and undeserving of love. I've said all along in my journey that I recommend therapy...and not just for food issues. I've spent a good amount of time on a therapist's couch and it didn't feel like it was doing me any good to go in there every week or two, cry a river, then go home all upset. So, I quit seeing her about six months ago. What's interesting is that I feel like I've grown emotionally in the last six months, but I've built on the things she taught me. I went through a fairly long period where I felt like I was masquerading in a thinner body and another couple of months where I kept kicking myself because I'm not at my "goal" weight yet. In the last month or two I've realized that my "goal" weight is probably unrealistic. I'm not sure that I can mentally or physically reach 190 pounds, or that I'd be any more comfortable at 190 than I am currently. I'm hovering around 235-230 and I'm comfortable here. I've had a couple of plastics consults and the surgeon seems to think (and I agree) that my maximum weight loss will be another 10-15 pounds, plus about 10 pounds from the tummy tuck. Truthfully, I agree. I'm good with the weight I am now, and I'm getting lots of positive feedback from other people, especially men. I have a 30 year old firefighter telling me how fine I look, and a new boyfriend who adores me and my body. I get lots of other attention from men, so I'm feeling that I look good. I'm healthy, happy, and I don't think I can ask for a lot more. It's taken some time to get to this place mentally, but it's been so worth the journey. Right now, I think the best word that describes where I'm at on this journey is CONTENT. I love myself, and I think that carries over to other people. It allows me to be nicer to people. It also allows me to have enough self-esteem not to worry a whole lot about what others think of me or about me. I'm more accepting of them because I'm more accepting of me. I'm human and I have faults, but I'm worthy of everything good. I think that acceptance of things as they are is the best gift I've gotten from this whole journey. It's been quite a ride, but it's so worth it!!!

Oh, Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm happy dancing for you!! Congratulations!!!

Oh, yeah! I'm up and raring to go! I cannot believe how great I feel now. I had long-term back pain that the gallbladder removal has eliminated. I didn't even realize how much I hurt until my GB went bye-bye. Thanks for asking!

Oh, this is perfect. I took pictures today of my lunch before and after. The boy at Nature's Table in the mall here made me such a pretty lunch, despite the changes I asked for (no bread, no crackers, no croutons) that I had to take a pic. He added the avocado at my request to their chicken salad. Yum The pictures show in graphic detail what I can eat at about 18 months out. Notice the untouched tea.

Let us know if you'll be in Florida. We'll have to arrange a meet up!

Upping your calories is a good thing with the amount of exercise you're doing. You could also be holding some water weight between the swimming and the amount you're drinking. I went through a stage where I was hitting the gym twice a day, cutting my calorie count super low, and drinking enough water to float a ship. No loss. As soon as I backed off on the exercise component and added in a couple of small protein-based snacks daily, my weight loss started again. I'm about to hit hard core again on the gym and food fronts, so sit back and watch me get to goal by summer!

Cartman, If your BMI is very high, or if you've had previous clotting issues, or if your doc decides, you take lovenox shots. I took them for two weeks prior and two weeks after my VSG. They do sometimes hurt, especially (for me) if I happen to hit the edge of a previous bruise from an injection site. I found that low and to the sides hurt less, just like MoreGoodTimes. I also avoided areas where the stretch marks were especially thin. For my recent GB surgery, I only had to take one lovenox shot and it had to be given in the thigh, possibly because there's so much less fat in my abdomen than before? I'll ask when I see my surgeon today. Either way, they are a necessary evil, but they won't be forever.

Oh, and thanks for the warm welcomes! It's good to BE back here!

So, Tuesday will be two weeks post-op from my gallbladder removal! I've been unable to work out well for months because of the pain pre-op, but I aching to get back to the gym on Tuesday. I figure I'll start with light weights for my arms and about 15-20 minutes of cardio. I don't have my official post op until one month out, but this was approved by my doctor. I never thought I'd be SO excited to go sweat!!!

Wow, all I can say is that I LOVE THE GYM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I spent about an hour there last night. I moved very slowly through very low weights and low reps for my arms and legs, then spent a blissful 11 minutes on the recumbent bike, just enjoying the sweat. I cannot believe how great I feel now that I've actually put my body through it's paces, although very slowly. I'd have gone longer on the bike, but my incisions started bothering me, so I stopped to try again another day. My follow up with the doctor is today for my GB and I'm hoping he will clear me to move forward with some aqua aerobics and maybe a little hot tub time.

The guy in the pic is NOT the firefighter. And, Lissa isn't a freak, but the guy likes to attract attention. He's pretty normal when he lets his hair down and takes out all his silver. Sweet doesn't begin to describe him.

New pic of me uploaded just for you! Look to the left. As for the hot guy...