MeMeMEEE

I had left shoulder pain - extreme - found out later this was referred from my diaphragm, the abscess from the leak was pressing on it. No fever. Dr said he couldn't believe I wasn't sick from it. This was at least 3 weeks after it started - first indicator was a super high ferritin level that wasn't caught for several weeks then sent to a hematologist they were actually thinking possibly lung cancer and when they did the CT scan of my chest it happened to catch the abscess in a view. Everyone kept telling me every day would get better, I never felt great but never felt sick either.

Hi Gia I was sleeved 8/8/11 also! I am still losing but at a very slow rate. Are you tracking your exercise and food intake somewhere like myfitnesspal? I find that really helps. I believe I had been eating too few calories myself so I have been trying to bring them up, as well as more exercise.

So glad to hear this!

I am so glad you checked in - I was worried when you disappeared from my facebook page! Feel better, rest up, drink lots and get ready for the big arrival!

And you can add lots of us as friends!! http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22264-official-my-fitness-pal-friend-add-thread/

No one in my house will eat chicken (husband not at all, daughter not in the crockpot) so I have one of those small dip crockpots and it fits one breast perfect!

Completely awesome!!!

If you have a chocolate shake, try it with some PB2 mixed in to make it chocolate peanut butter. Also, have you tried the Nectar Double Stuffed Cookie protein? I highly recommend getting a few samples - in the blender with some ice it is just like a milkshake.

Yes, same here - my weight loss has really slowed down also and I am getting close to goal. I have really been trying to change up my exercise and do more of it. I can tell my body is changing even with the little bits of weight loss. We'll get there!

When do you meet with your surgeon? I met with mine about 2 months in to my 6 months. I knew I wanted the sleeve. He told me it was up to me, he felt I was a good fit for any of the surgeries. I did NOT want bypass. If he had told me he wanted that for me, I would have asked why but also been prepared to explain why I wanted to sleeve (same as you, did not feel comfortable with the rerouting.

Another thing about PPI's - my Dr only prescribes them for a few months. When I ran out I started noticing I had a gnawing feeling in my tummy often. Almost like hunger. Someone told me it was the acid so I asked for a refill. It went away.

I LOVE having some crystal light lemonade or even their PURE version with some SF Stawberry Torani in it - reminds me of those strawberry lemonades you get from restaurants. You could get some of the tiny sonic ice and have it in there. I have had one small diet cherry limeade from sonic at around 7 months out. No problems but wasn't what I remembered it like! Wouldn't have tried it as early out as you are though.

It can also affect your healing early out. My program also says no drinking but my PA said one occasionally is fine.

Oh also, if you belong to a church that would be a great resource!

When are you expecting surgery? Any chance the 2 year old will be potty trained by then? And in toddler bed? Also, do you have any friends that could come stay with you? Even a friends teenage child would be a big help!! Maybe put out the word that you are looking for someone to help (are you near or on the base?).

I don't think anyone asked but are you taking something for the acid reflux? If so and it isn't helping, call your Dr and ask for something different or if you can increase it. Also, you are rocking with 17 lbs down! Did anyone mention the week 3 stall? Sounds like you have hit it - don't despair, keep on doing what you are doing, working hard to get your fluids in, and you will break through it! It's your body's way of catching up! Did you take any measurements before surgery? If so, do them often while you aren't losing weight - you might find the inches are disappearing! If you didn't, take them NOW and often on your journey! And the whole depressed thing? When you are burning fat, it is releasing stored hormones - the first several months can be very emotional because of this!! Hope that helps!

(((HUGS))) Are you on anything for nausea? Also, can your doctor have you come in for hydration often? I never had problems with fluids other than it taking from when I woke up until I went to bed to get in every ounce. I had trouble eating much in the very beginning and was told it was because of swelling. Are you on pain meds? I hope some others will stop in and offer some suggestions for you. Each day should get a little better but the throwing up isn't going to help the swelling go down very fast. Have you tried warm liquids? In the beginning they went down much better for me, try different temperatures of things. What are you trying to drink? I have heard of people who really struggle with plain Water in the beginning also. Maybe try different liquids. Congratulations to you and your son, you will make it to see him!

Yes, my main question would be how old are your children? If they are a little older, maybe 9 and up, you can really prepare them for it and let them know they may need to do more thing on their own. Kids love to be independent so they might really enjoy playing nurse to mom. It would just mean some planning ahead, getting things in the house they can make themselves, single serve fruit/pudding cups, etc, sandwich fixings, cheese sticks, it is summer so you can go with foods that don't need cooked. You could even teach them how to help with laundry, a step stool and mom standing by to supervise and they can do it. This could be a huge learning experience for a child of a certain age, even learning to take care of a younger sibling.

Depends on what you will be doing, vacation? Lots of walking or relaxing? Many people fly home from other countries just a few days after surgery but they are coming home.

There is an official threat here http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22264-official-my-fitness-pal-friend-add-thread/

Um yes...I did have personalized plates way back in the day, Guns 90, baby! LOL And you know what? With the sleeve I believe you have a slower, steadier loss but I also believe you have a much better chance of KEEPING IT OFF! Keep on keeping on! You can do it!

here it is http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/22264-official-my-fitness-pal-friend-add-thread/

Somewhere, there is an official MFP thread...I just saw it yesterday and it's very large, lots of people listed!

I don't lose that much at a time, I'll lose 1-2 lbs over a week (.2 here, .6 there) then up and down for 2 weeks before I lose more. I get really discouraged in those few weeks. Then boom, a little more comes off...

If you need things to "snack" on, keep nuts, beef bites, cheese cubes all ready to reach for. And like others have said, keep the bad stuff out of the house!! And that stall your in? It's the week 3 stall and happens to most everyone, you'll break through it!! HANG IN THERE!