CaliKat

I ran into the same thing about 3 months.... munchee city! I always was hungry and kept eating once every 2 hours... it also felt like I could eat a lot too...I made sure that I was "grazing" on healthy Protein first items and getting all my liquids in. It helped not stall my loss (but it sure slowed down). I dont know if it was a "brain change" or just me gettin with the program.... but about 5 months I am not hungry at all and just eat because I need to. I also upped the excercise and am once again seeing the scale slide down daily. You can do this- stay the course and be a big ole looser!

Great job!! Youve done great and it sounds like your have nothing to worry about! K

I was on a romantic weekend with BF this weekend- staying in a cute seaside B&B and the only dinner they were serving was Lobster Mac & cheese. I could have picked the lobster out and ignored the pasta- but I totally dug in to that insanely delicious dish! I got about 4 bites in and was done. Full & finshed. Now.... Im doing good on my weight loss- at 4 mo out I am happy and can eat anything w/o any issues.... but I don't obsess over carbs. I try to stick to Protein and make good choices but if something tempts me- I'm gonna eat it. So.... In my opinion- if you want it and can tolerate it- go for it! Have some Pasta when going out or if you are in a pinch. All good things in moderation.

Yup-looks about right. I've got long hair (6" past shoulders) and it comes out everywhere!!! My hair is medium and slightly wavy. It started falling out a lot at month 4 and now at month 5 it's still falling like crazy. I expect it will slow down sometime in month 6.... The big change is the volume of my hair- despite product and blow drying upside down.... It's still limp and flat. Like the OP... It looks like a lot of hair but I am still far from bald!

I was sleeved 4/4/12 by Dr Cirangle in San Fran at LapSF. Everything has been amazing & going so well. I am under 190 and i feel like this has been going absolutely according to plan. Sorry I didn't respond to your earlier post- didn't check the thread.... I'm down 55+ Good luck to all of you.

Champion brand from Target is awesome I'm a large breasted gal and I "double bag" it. A sports bra and a tank top w/sports bra I buy most of my work-out stuff from Target cause I'm going thru sizes fast. Target has a great selection of bras and other workout gear.

i usually eat the same spicy tuna but when i get sick of it I make a bit of Tuna Salad with greek yogurt, cheese, pickle relish and mustard. I love the Wasa Rye crisps (11g carbs/slice) and can only do a single cracker piled high with tuna for a meal.... so for me the trade off's are worth it. I dont watch my carbs as much as I should, but I also eat the multigrain "everything" flavor bagel thins with tuna for a quick bite and it works just as good (20g carbs for 2 crisps)

I wish I would have started off right by not drinking & eating at the same time. I am really having a hard time breaking the habit- wish I would have followed dr's orders from the get-go!!

Dehydration

If the bartenders give you crap about ordering a NA (non alcoholic) drink- just tell then you are a few weeks pregnant, smile sweetly and ask for your cranberry juice- I guarantee that will get you NA drinks w/o attitude! Also- maybe take Water shots instead of real shots. I don't drink but no one has really noticed cause I always slip off and order my own "shot" right before the big toast so I have something to join in with or when they are tossing em back- dump it on the floor quick. Maybe you even tell one of your friends and have her take all your drinks for you?

I went camping 10 days post-op. slept in a tent with foam pad and LOTS of pillows. I am a tough cookie, but in hindsight I should have waited another week or two. The simple things like putting a tent up or bending down to pick something up was tough.... I slept in my own tent with lots of pillows and it was kinda OK... Had to take double dose of Loritab to get to sleep though. I would reschedule- in order to have the best healing and the best camping trip they should not happen the same weekend. Good luck and hope you get the band issues sorted.

Fleexies They make an old fashioned "girdle" just for the middle. You can get them at any JCPenny, Macys, Target, Sears, etc.... Make your tummy flat and without bluges.

I had 5 tiny incisions- 4 of them were smaller then pencil erasers and the 5th was about as long as a dime is wide. At almost 4 months I can barely see them. I asked my surgeon pre-op about scars and he took a piece of paper and drew the actual incision sizes on a fake tummy- made me feel a lot better!

Any department store will have a large selection of body shapers. You can wear a body shaping tank that is a simple camisole type thing to high compression-squeeze you & contort you full on body suits. Even Target sells the simple kinds. I wear a Flexees brand waist cincher/girdle daily. Frankly, if I am wearing a bra.... I wear a girdle. Don't leave the house w/o it. It's comfy but also stops the bulging and the muffin top effect. I've worn these garments for 9 years and only took a week break post-op I carry most of my weight in the belly and have worn the girdle to help keep it sucked in and tucked up so it doesn't hang and cause a permanent "apron". I'm 1/2 way to goal and think that there is a good chance for it to shrink to normal.

I'm 3 months post op and get hot flashes when I eat too fast or too much..... Doesn't matter what it is- spicy or bland, protein or carbs.

I hate to break this to you.... but all those "head" issues are still around post-op. . I still occationaly find myself struggling with the "grazing" behavior- and although I cant sabatoge myself that much (I cant eat a whole slice of pizza let alone a whole damn thing!) I can easily spend the whole day "nibbling"- effectively cheating the sleeve. If you struggle with head hunger or compulsive behaviors- do whatever it takes to overcome your mind... if not, you could be faced with an uphill battle.

Simple solution: Don't go to dinner for your date! Or.... Go get late night appetizers at a nicer resturant so the food is sleeve-friendly and portions arent a big deal. Always check the menu before hand. Or.... Eat family style And as always... Flirt and smile, use your best manners and always wear cute undies!

Good on you for putting yourself out there!!! Can I put my two cents in here (as I am a professional matchmaker & dating coach)? Girl..... You need to get out there and DATE!!! Meet men of all shapes and sizes, men of all interests and activities and have some fun with it! Its OK to get to know someone and not fall in love with them. Besides.... You need dating practice and isnt it better to test-drive men that you arent a bumbling drooling gaga girl over? You dont owe one iota of explanation or shouldnt feel obligated if there is no attraction (you cant force chemistry) but you should be up front with the men by saying something to the effect of "im so glad we can be friends and perhaps we can help each other navigate the crazy world of dating." Enjoy this time in your life, go getcha groove on and dont worry.... We all have to kiss a few frogs before we found our princes!!

Any shapewear will work. You can get compression tanks (Flexees) at both Walmart, Target, etc You can also get undergarment shapewear like girdles & such at most department stores. Most of us have Spanx lying around and they work just as well. I would highly recomend some belly support, especially if you have a bit of apron- it certianly helped me with the pulling and getting out of bed. I waited 4-5 days post-op until my incisions were nice and scabby and have worn mine every day for 3 months..... Im hoping prolonged support will help with sagging skin.

Since we are SMACK DAB in the middle of summer- has anyone tried a hot dog or sausage that was (relatively) good nutritional content and that didnt gross you out? I go to lots of BBQ's and always bring a package of wieners or sausages (running gag) and kinda need to find one that I can enjoy. I have found the only hot dog I can eat w/o being queesy is a Hebrew National. I also do fine with the chicken sausages you get at Costco/Whole Foods (but they are gross). Looking for a bit of variety. What ones can you recommend?

Miso soup from a local Japaneese place- strain it... its a nice change of pace. I lived on Campbells vegetable beef soup the first two weeks- just strained it and gave the veggies/beef to BF. Also try beef consume or french onion soup strained.... super good change of pace. I dont know if I would worry too much about carbs/sodium now.... the first two weeks are all about keeping hydrated and sticking to the clears/liquids. Im 3 months out and still cant stand the thought of having chicken soup or beef broth. I had enough broth for my whole damn life!

Shrimp & Avocado Salad: 1/4c NF Greek Yogurt 1 Avocado- diced 1-2c baby pre-cooked shrimp 1T taco seasoning 2 Tomatoes- diced juice of 1 lime S/P to taste Mix yogurt and taco seasoning in large bowl. Add diced tomatoes, avocado and shrimp. Add lime juice and S/P to taste. Makes a kick ass lunch w/ plenty of leftovers- Im not low-carbing so I eat these on 2-3 slices of Melba toast and am soooooo satisfied!

$18500 self pay. Bay area, California

That happens to me when I'm dehydrated. Get yourself a Poweraide Zero or some water ASAP!

For fruity flavors I love Roadside Lemonade & Kiwi strawberry. If you get bored w/ the flavor of lemonaide you can always add crystal lite iced tea or strawberry Mio to alter the taste. The Vanilla Torte and chocolate Truffle are awesome. I love the vanilla with a bit of cooled coffee and a splash of Torani SF syrup for an iced coffee. I love, love, love making a thick shake with the Chocolate Truffle, some SF pudding, PB2 and NF milk. It tastes just like a shake gem Sonic and it packs a Protein punch! You can buy singles of the vanilla and chocolate at a Vitamin Shoppe (use google to find a 20% off coupon).