Lissa

The little devil on your shoulder is talking smack to you! It's not your last chance "basically ever" to eat food from that restaurant. You will be able to eat anything your little heart desires once you're back on solid foods... and that's not that far away. You made an intelligent, informed decision to start the diet early. Why ruin that effort by having junk food now? Hold fast to what you know is right for you and for your best surgical outcome. SKIP the fast food today. Have an extra Protein shake, or a small serving of lean protein tonight and know that you protected yourself from temptation. Hold tight! This will be over before you know it!!

You just gave me an idea for my morning shake! Thanks!!

Adding the 30 second increments seems to work for me as well. I appreciate the feedback as much as the original poster here does! I'm a music girl for working out, so I definitely can do more when I'm listening to some heart pounding music. I like the elliptical because it does get me sweating in a hurry, and I've already learned that I'm not coordinated enough to do the arms and legs at the same time! LOL

My pulmonologist does NOT want me getting into the recommended heart rate range set by the gym. According to the gym's calculator, I should be at 141 to 160 for my age. My doc wants me in the 120 range, maximum. I recently had a follow-up EKG to see how I'm doing and he sees improvement in my EKG at this level of cardio, so I'm going to continue what I've been doing. Ask your doctor for a specific number and, if your meds are keeping you from achieving that number, what should you be looking for when you work out. For me, it's more important that I get to a point where I'm sweating and continue to sweat while working out than that I achieve some arbitrary number. Since you've already had issues, you definitely need the doc's guidance on this one. You'll also want regular follow-ups to see if your goals need to be adjusted as you become healthier.

I've read that ghrelin, the hunger hormone that's removed along with the majority of our stomachs, is responsible for body temp regulation, at least in part. Removing that ghrelin makes a lot of us cold constantly after surgery. It's been a godsend for me since I've been exercising. Not so great at night, since I was already cold constantly when I sleep. I'm thrilled that you've had a great experience with the body temperature changes!!

Diva, you've got this exactly right. You WILL be able to eat after surgery, just not as much. Good luck!!

I've been within a few pounds of hitting the Century Club (100 pounds lost) for what seems like weeks!! I'm working on that as my short term goal. Onederland is still about 50 pounds away, but I can't wait to get there, either! Congrats to all of you for being so close. Keep my spot in that club warm, mmmkay?

I'm still super picky about my Water. I'd add some Mio drops to the list. Be careful to avoid the Mio "energy" drops as they have caffeine, but the Orange Tangerine and strawberry Watermelon are awesome. I like them because you can add as little or as much as you like to your water and adjust the flavor to your changing taste buds. Be careful on Protein shots as well. Many of them contain collagen protein, which does our bodies no good. The protein in them is not readily absorbable, so you're creating protein rich pee without getting any benefits from it. I'd add some low sodium chicken/beef broth to your list. Swanson makes some that comes in a box so you can pour a few ounces at a time into a cup, heat and drink. The box stays in the fridge and keeps the broth from absorbing odors from other things in there. Good luck!!

Prayers and well wishes being sent! Remember the reasons you wanted this done and don't let that little devil on your shoulder talk you out of doing what you know is best for you! I think everyone has those same thoughts just before surgery, but that's just wishful thinking. How many times have you succeeded at losing weight and keeping it off before? It's zero or you wouldn't be there getting ready for surgery, just like me and so many others who have gone before! Please post an update once you're sleeved and on the loser's bench. We're keeping a spot warm for you!

I think you've done terrific with your sleeve! You lost well over 100 pounds and have maintained that loss! Go You!!!! Your goal of 140 may, in fact, be too low based on your height and, yes, the excess skin probably accounts for a good bit of that "failure" to get to your goal. I'm 5'8 and my original goal was 170, down from 352. My surgeon tells me that I'd look like death warmed over at 170 AND I'd still have extra skin. His exact words were that I'd never reach 170 without "more hot lights and steel". In other words, it would take skin removal to get to that number. If you're truly concerned, maybe a discussion with your WLS surgeon is in order. S/he can give you a better assessment of whether you've reached your potential number or if you need to change your eating habits to get to a lower goal. IF the doc says you should lose more weight, you've STILL got the perfect tool to do it. All you have to do is go back to basics: 70g of Protein, 64+oz of Water and exercise. Exercise will help either way, because it will help you firm up the areas that are bothering you and may even help with skin tightening. Good luck!! You're amazing and have done great with your sleeve!

I was very matter of fact about it when I told people pre-op. Of course, mine was a do or die situation, so it was very hard for anyone to say that I shouldn't have the surgery. I was given one year to live if I didn't get a significant amount of weight off in a hurry. Post-op, I've had no problem telling anyone and everyone about the surgery. I was talking to a lady a few days ago and she called me a "Sleeve Evangelist", LOL. I am, though. I have to restrain myself from walking up to morbidly obese people and telling them about VSG! My opinion is that the stigma attached to WLS will not go away until people who have it start talking about their experiences and making it become an accepted way to deal with obesity. Of course, I also realize that this means that I'll have to be especially careful about not regaining weight or I become a bad example instead of a good example.

I take sublingual B12 every day and my labs have been fine. Lots of people take the injections around here, so you should get a response on that. I was astounded at your weight loss, 106 pounds gone?!?!!! WOWWWWW!! Great job of working that sleeve!!

You may have a stitch that's tight or a muscle that has decided to knot up. It's good that you're going to see the doctor today, but it will probably be something minor. If heat feels good, then you should certainly apply a heating pad or warm cloth to the area.

You may be healing a little faster than others, which gives you a bit less restriction that others have at this point. As long as you're not drinking while you eat, which will push food through and "make" room, you should be fine.

I'll add my prayers that all will go well, but you're in His hands and He will watch over you! Good luck! Can't wait for your post-surgery status update.

4mydogs, Welcome to the loser's bench!!

Awesome, wonderful, terrific! I'm happy dancing for you!

I'm thinking "abs" would definitely be wishful thinking for me! I'd like to have "flat" though, if that's humanly possible. It may not be for me.

I'm thinking you over-filled your sleeve without intending to do so. For some reason all starchy foods make me fill up very fast. Once bread, Pasta or rice hit my sleeve, it's like they turn into a huge sponge and prevent me from eating anything else. I'm also careful to not drink too close to any meal where I have had starches. Rice is the worst offender for me. I can only suggest walking as a cure, and wait a little while before you drink anything.

I was told that I definitely WOULD become an alcoholic. So far, I'm not. I see a therapist for my food issues as well. It's amazing how much of our lives and our minds are tied up in food. I'm working really hard to become addicted to exercise. I think that would be my best bet!

That's one I've never heard of before. Are you getting in enough water? How far post-op are you? If you're not getting in enough water, that could be causing you to peel. I know that I'm pouring lotion and oil on my skin these days, so maybe you need to ramp up the lotion to prevent the peeling?

You're really rocking that sleeve! You look fantastic!!!

Check with the hospital about a week before surgery to see if they need to "approve" your machine. The engineering dept at my hospital had to inspect my bipap before I could use it due to fire or electrical code issues. Also, you might want to ask the hospital if you must bring the machine or if just your tubing and mask will do. I could have just taken my mask and tubing, but my pressure is so high that my machine is set to gradually increase the pressure and I wanted that feature, especially right after surgery.

I did 3 weeks of pre-op diet and I remember how tough that was. Afterwards, I drank a lot of broth, ate SF popsicles and walked a lot. I've heard that some folks have found relief for the "hunger" (which is all in our heads) by chewing ice. It's tough on your teeth, but it IS chewing.

Oh, and don't try to force the whole 1/4 cup into your sleeve. Your nut probably intends for you to eat NO MORE THAN a 1/4 cup.