Shells

I think you are amazing for going back to work within a week a two! I went back after a month, so glad I waited. Went back I was exhausted lost a pound a day for a week from moving! But I was able to take breaks, sit and get fresh air. Its tiring but it's worth it. I recommend post ops to take as long as they can resting because this is the only time we have for this break on our busy lifestyle.

Thank you for this and congratulations! I was wondering though, do you feel hungry?

My surgeon told me not to take any ibuprofen a month before my surgery and I stopped prolly three months before that.

We love you Sleeve 4 Me!!!!! <3 You're the best!

WOW, that is incredible! At 5 days, I was just starting to walk slowly, I think that's great that you did that. DO get plenty of rest to heal your sleeve cause it's a muscle, drink plenty of fluids and remember protein first. GL and welcome to the loser's bench!

Congrats girl that's AWESOME!!!!! I felt the same way when I starting wearing 14 too, still am and I'm happy. 12 lbs, you got this!!!

I named mine Ms. Picky like Ms. Piggy from the muppets lol. She definitely is picky!

I heard the Ninja is a really good blender, compares with Vitamix, I'd try it out for sure

I'm confused about this whole weight loss to pant size ratio as well. At 235 I was a size 18, 216 size 16 and now at 190 I'm a size 14, its comfy on my stomach area (thankfully my cousin gave me all her size 14 jeans soo happy!), not too tight but baggy in the thigh and butt area. I'm wondering at what weight will I be a size 12. I know it's being impatient and I'm not in a rush, I just want to go shopping lol.

I went through all the seminars with my mom since May 2011 and didn't even think of the surgery being for me. Fast forward to Oct 17th I called and made an appointment for me because I felt ready. Between Oct 23rd and Jan 25th - so about three months later I was sleeved I was able to go past through the hoops quick because I went with my mom in May so all I needed was my psych eval, blood tests, colonoscopy/endoscopy, and hit my goal weight of 215. Made it in 11 weeks.

*HUGS* We're with you love, welcome to the loser's bench! Wishing you the best <3

Everyone is different but I youtubed my videos (below on my link). There's so many different emotions and feeling going through people but I was mostly tired, fatigued, my sleeping schedule was off, and very gassy. Not hungry at all and hated food the first 2 weeks. Starving in my head but didn't want to put any food because it's a fresh surgery and I wasn't even hungry. Trying to remember to eat, take Vitamins, medication and wait to drink water/protein shakes 30-45 mins before/after- I was a hot mess. Lost 21 pounds the first month- Water and fat. Tomorrow is 6 weeks post op. In the end--I don't regret a thing, yes I would do this again. Hope I helped

I work at sbux (5 years now) and used to be addicted to coffee. 3 years ago I experienced a migraine followed by vomiting (during a test mind you). Yeah I quit after that. Took 2 weeks, my brain was aching! Was too young to drink it anyways so went to half caff, decaf, then cut it off completely. I would drink decaf or half caff for now then after surgery please don't drink coffee, it definately dehydrates you and with your tiny tummy you need all the fluids possible. I love herbal tea with soy milk, its yummy, good luck

Your gonna do great! See you soon on the loser's bench! I wish you an awesome recovery A week before my surgery my Dr saw that I hit my goal weight and said "now don't go crazy before the surgery" and I couldn't stop laughing because he knew me so well! Lol I did a 4 day "last" meals! I think I had pizza, Pasta, bread, baked lamb and kfc. I'm happy I did, I do wish I went to a buffet tho hahaha. This helped because after surgery I appreciated the fact that I was able to eat my unhealthy foods and that part of me is gone. I didn't crave a lot of fast food but I still had my head hunger. I dined and parted ways with my 225 lb self and moved on. Don't regret a thing!

I told my co workers I had hernia surgery which is true. Didn't wanna say gallbladder just in case it needs to be removed later from an emergency. Came back this week and they noticed the weight loss and complimented me but I have a feeling I will be losing friends from this WL journey. Whatever, if you liked me before because I was heavier and view me as a threat now, then they should be scared and walk away. I'm really happy for those who express themselves and tell others- they can save lives and get others to be healthy. As for me, I chose not to tell anyone, for me this is personal and private. In total my mom, dad, brother, cousin, grandma, aunt, best friend and ex know which helps tremendously! I have my group to talk to who are always willing to help and are very supportive and caring. I go to WLS group meetings twice a month and by being able to talk about my VSG with them and that's enough for me.This is how I feel now, I might change my mind later who knows.

Try writing down what motivates you, this helped me a lot. There are SO many factors but the biggest reason was for me to be happy in my skin. I am overall a happy person but insecure. Losing weight, feeling good about myself, treating myself better in ways OTHER than food is my motivation. Clothes- my best friend got me a sweater from Hollister and I never fit in there before and I do now- big motivation! Going out- Instead of buying fast food and going out to eat, I save my money and treat myself to makeup, getting my hair styled, buying new smaller gym clothes etc when I hit my mini goals. Holidays- I dreaded the holidays, now I actually look forward to them. I want to see my friends and family more than ever! Hitting onederland- being under 200 pounds was such a big motivation that made me realize this is happening now and it's working. I never will be there at that weight again. Ever. My dog- she's my walking motivation ALL of this is better than eating bad and not working out and feeling guilty and gross. By writing this list, it reminds me that I AM WORTH it- the fighting to be healthy, the sweat and the tears. GL

WALKING (helps gas SOO much) for 6 weeks. Hit my 6 weeks on Weds then I will return to my gym and start lifting weights pretty excited! I started jogging this week and I like it- kinda shocked lol. I know with excercise I need to increase my water and protein shakes. At this point, my concern is still staying hydrated and taking my vitamins and protein shakes. Losing weight isn't my priority because with doing what was stated I will be dropping pounds, I'm very concerned about staying healthy, hydrated and vitamin'd up.

*hugs* I'm scared about this too!! I don't wanna lose my hair! I'm planning to cut my hair and have money saved to buy hair extensions. I'm also taking biotin, hoping this helps...

It takes 2 hours to activate I think. DEFINATELY drink it with water. On that day I had only 4 oz of chicken broth and maybe 2 glasses of water throughout the whole day- I was so excited for the surgery. I drank MC at 6 with NO water and didn't realize I had to have that with water. So at 8 I had a glass of water and felt so nauseas. Went to the bathroom around 10 and it hurt and I didn't understand why. Then again around 11. I went to take a shower around 1130pm and fainted! My mom got me up and I fainted again! I was so scared and tired when paramedics came they said I was dehydrated and the MC was taking the water from my important organ areas (excreting it so I can release stools) and this was causing me to faint. Low blood pressure mixed with a hot shower increased the fainting as well. So a word of caution please take plenty of water and maybe you should leave work early. GL.

I had suger free dark dove chocolate from target around 1 month post op. I only had one a day though because it's full of fat calories. Sugar free pudding, pops, chocolate- we should still check the nutritional facts. Hope I helped!

I am almost 5 weeks post op and this weekend was my first time going to eat outside my home: Went to see my best friend over the weekend- she flew to sacramento and I drove and we met at her mom's boyfriend's house. Her aunt, uncle and mom welcomed me with huge hugs and smiles because they knew me and Ron (mom's bf) and I met and I didn't hug him because I don't know him and I'm going to hug an old man (I think that irritated him-my bestie didn't hug him so that's why I didn't as well). Great beginning...So for dinner (ready at 5pm-early for me) mom made BBQ chicken thighs, salmon salad, and stir fried carrots and celery, biscuits and croissants. Ron bought biscuits which mom put in the oven and they served sparkling apple cider. Being one month post op I ate a few bites of a chicken thigh (about 1/3) and bestie took the rest, 1oz salmon and 2 yummy pieces of carrot. I felt like that was too much already and was forcing what I could. Bestie drank her apple cider and we switched glasses to make it look like I drank it ( SO thankful she knows) and we had a good time chatting and catching up. Ron-for some reason he kept noticing how little I ate and commented on how I haven't tried the biscuits he made so I said I'm on a low carb diet. He's like "you'll definately lose weight with that" and I was like I already lost 30 pounds with it and I'm not interested in biscuits that mom made but I'm sure they're delicious. He kept saying "Mai, she doesn't like the food you cooked" and I said I love moms food I just can eat less now. I'm sure he was teasing and my bestie kept looking at me apologetically and I wasn't upset or deterred- I just think Ron didn't like me. That's okay, it's his house and he doesn't know me and I don't give a rat's tail about him. It's just DAMN- don't look at what I'm eating- keep your head on your plate and be glad you have leftovers, like get off my balls mofo! The aunt and uncle noticed I ate a little and were worried that I would starve later, I appreciate they told my best friend instead of me. Concern is okay, comments ruffle my feathers. Around 8 while I was studying Ron came in and wanted me and bestie to come to the family room and there are FOUR types of ice cream (rocky road, coffee, vanilla and caramel swirl) laid on the table with mom scooping each one into a bowl. I'm like- NOOOO! Bestie quickly whispered she'll eat my share and I say "No thank you I don't want ice cream, I'm okay" and ron brings me a bowl with a scoop of each kind and says "there's no bread in here, I checked" what a jerk! I take it because I was gonna give it to my bf. She gave me a cup of rocky road with caramel swirl and I'm like really, I canNOT be eating this! Aunty and uncle ask me questions about school and I discuss my major and we talk about classes and Ron asked hows the ice cream so I try some and I already know it's a slider food-it's just going to melt and go through and my body absorbs all the calories. It tastes SO good and it's already melted and I eat the solid part- I think I ate 2/3 of a cup of ice cream. Less than 15 mins later I my sleeve felt weird. I ignored it and tried to do my hw. My heart rate was rising and I was sitting down. I felt like I needed to move around, went to the restroom and sprinkled cold Water over my arms and tummy, my skin felt weird and I just wanted to breathe. I just felt uncomftorable all over and wanted to go to my aunt's home where I was staying for the weekend. My best friend understood and I just couldn't talk I needed to get out. I said goodbye to them and bounced. Went straight into my aunt's arms and cried- because I felt guilty and weak. My aunt knows I had the surgery and she felt bad for me and told me that the calories are high and sugar is really high and since I haven't had much sugar since the surgery I just reacted differently. I didn't wanna tell her I was ashamed. I can't believe I ate ice cream. What did I do. I am not going to lose weight this way. After ALL the s--t I went through to turn around and consume this- I wanted to slap myself. I hated Ron- I feel like he is a mirror of passive peer pressure and I was weak. After my weak moment I drank lots of water that night and watched a movie and just relaxed. Typing this I now realize that this process is going to be a huge mental struggle as well as emotional and physical and for this to work I need to make a healthy food plan. I am scared that ice cream will go through me like nothing and I will eat the whole gallon and not the 1/2 cup portion. I am not ready to try outside the book because honestly- I'm scared the food will taste so damn good and I'll gain it back- the weight, the shame, the unhappiness. I love being honest with myself and I am going to take care of myself and that means saying NO and accepting that it may hurt the other person's feelings no exceptions. And this was my first experience going out to eat. Sorry so long!