Back~To~Amy

I'm already friends with you. You can do a search on here and get lots of other MFP usernames and send friend requests to them.

Best of luck to you! Check I when you can after surgery and let us know how you're doing.

Welcome to VST and congrats on finally getting your surgery approved. Best of luck to you on your journey!

You are quite welcome. Glad you are all better!

Good luck today! Check back in after surgery when you feel up to it and let us know how you're doing.

Wow! You've been through a really bad time and I'm sorry for that. I am glad to see you are doing better and that you have a good attitude. Next of luck to you! Take care!

Be very careful. Cheating preop is one thing. Cheating postop can cause leaks which can be detrimental to your health or worse. My doctor had me on complete liquids for three weeks and I was too scared to cheat. I didn't want to risk killing myself over a craving. Good luck to you!

I think a lot of us are afraid we can't do it. I was one of those, but took the leap of faith and had surgery almost 10 weeks ago. I'm so glad I did as I'm down over 50 pounds now.

Some people have a very easy time getting fluids down really early postop. The nurses were saying I was a super hero at that when I was in the hospital. Sometimes, early on, I would wonder if my sleeve was working or if I even had one. Okay, not really wonder if I had one, bit it does cross your mind when things go down so easily. Trust me, when you get to solids, you will see a huge difference. I'm almost 10 weeks and am reminded how small my tummy is every time I eat. It just won't hold much! Yippee for that!

Wrlcome to VST. I was originally only open to the Lapband until I went to a seminar. The idea of the sleeve intrigued me. It didn't take much to realize that was the way I wanted to go. I'm almost 10 weeks postop now and am LOVING my sleeve. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made. Good luck to you as you do your research. Let us know if you have any questions.

I know a lot of plus sized stores go down to a 14W, but as soon as I can fit into an XL and an 18, I'm done shopping in those stores for forever. I'm so sick of not having the variety you get in the "regular" size sections of stores. I still have a ways to go since I'm in a 2X to 3X top and 24 bottoms, but I will get there eventually.

Welcome to VST and good luck on your upcoming surgery! Best of luck to you in your journey.

I'm sorry that I cannot offer you support in your diagnosis. I just wanted to tell you I wish you the best as you move forward!

My diet is very Protein filled. I am on full diet now so I can eat anything my sleeve can tolerate. Here's some ideas for you once you get off restricted diet: eggs (fixed any way), high protein Cereal, yogurt, cottage cheese, meat (any low fat kind you can think of), cheese, veggies, fruit, Peanut Butter, nuts & seeds, beef jerkey, pork rinds, Beans, Protein Bars. With all the different kinds,of meat and all the meat recipes out there, you should never get bored. Oh. And you don't have to eat breakfast food for breakfast. I've been know to have deli meat roll ups that I put pieces of string cheese or laughing cow cheese in. Good luck to you!

It's a great journey to be on. Congrats on getting it started tomorrow!

Yeah. I recommend Gas X Strips. Put 2 in your mouth at one time. If it doesn't work, try 2 more and that should do it.

I am almost 10 weeks out and can eat bread. I don't eat much though because it takes up valuable space in my tummy that I would rather fill with something else.

Below is a Department of Labor link about COBRA. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq-consumer-cobra.html

It's not on my list of excluded medicines.

Not being able to see your own weight loss is completely normal. I've lost double the amount you have and although I know it logically, my eyes (brain) cannot see it yet even in pictures. Others can though. Just not me. Don't beat yourself up so much. You've done awesome so far! Best of luck to you.

This is so very true. I would highly recommend purchasing one up front of your surgeon doesn't put one on you after your surgery.

That is great! I recently accomplished that too and, like you, have to be careful not to buy too much. Congrats on your success so far! Keep up the good work.

You look awesome! Congrats on your success and thanks for sharing your pics. They really inspire me!