4ALongerLife

are you guys getting your water in? i felt that way until i got my water (and then some) in.... just a suggestion! (also PPI's are a suggestion)

I've read on the forum here that it could be trapped gas. IDK how on that one but should it persist or get worse, call your dr. just to be sure pls. Best of luck!

Well with mine, I had trouble breathing... I thought it was the pneumonia that I had the week before, but then my breathing became very shallow. I had severe pain in my LEFT shoulder and side. Then I had a racing pulse and fever. I didn't do anything to "cause" this ... nor did the dr. My body rejected a staple. It was a total fluke. And I was "fixed" about 2 weeks after my surgery, but they never could get the total leak to stop, I still have a small one that I'm hoping closes soon. I am one of the maybe 3% that this occurs with or to. Follow your dr's orders, do not over consume is what I hear commonly and don't over do it. That's about all I can advise. Speak to your dr. and his staff in regards to how to avoid it as well. And I pray your surgery goes as splendidly well as most seem to experience! Best of luck! xx

Glad you are doing better. Best of luck always!

IDK how far you have to go, but if you are motivated to do some working out, some logging, some water drinking and some planning your meals... you can do whatever goal you set. And Rootman you look great. It's harder to get to goal the closer you get... but it's possible, you just have to be patient and keep working the program essentials. WLS is just a tool. It won't do all of it for you d9leigh... but it does work if you use it the way they tell you to! Best of luck to you!

I go to Ross.... a LOT. I keep dropping sizes, quickly. I know I should be happy, but it's rather frustrating sometimes too (i.e. having pants with the tags on them and they fall off of me... who would have ever thought that would happen????). But in all honesty, smaller sizes still amaze me. I'm in a size 6 (from 18 originally) as of this past weekend. 5-7 more lbs and I bet I can get into a 4. Holy cow!

I achieved my weight goal with only the sleeve surgery..... I was 254 when I started and I'm 145 as of this week. I am a "workout fiend" and am the low % that has had complications though so not sure that you really wanted me to respond. But sleeve has been successful for many ppl. Did your dr. try to say think of doing bypass instead?

Call your dr. I would say now, just to be safe. Just to make sure that all is ok. Please. I am not a medical professional and I think that this is sound advice to give. Best of luck to you.

Protein shots are NASTY if you ask me. Have you tried Cytosport's clear protein? They have RTD's (ready to drink) mixtures available that I lived on during clear stage. They are called "whey isolate by cytosport" and I liked tropical and tangerine. Try those. I think those are 20g protein. I also like Oh yeah protein shakes in vanilla and strawberry (32g protein). Pure protein in Cookies and cream (35g protein). I also liked the nectar brands originally just out of surgery. Not so much now, but your taste changes I believe. I liked the coffee kind, fuzzy navel, the blue one (don't remember it's name) and still have some around. Also unjury's got good chicken Soup and the strawberry was ok to me. You order that online. Premier Protein in vanilla is good... 30 g protein per 11 oz. Someone in my support group class mentioned a good protein shot... I believe it is made by sunkist but IDK where you buy those. Maybe look on the internet? Best of luck. Pls know it gets easier.

Mike, that is crazy! I have had a leak that I'm nursing since surgery. I think your situation is worse. Can you go to someone for a second opinion? Can you drink protein shakes/liquids that will stay down?

Premier Protein's are probably the ones at costco that you refer to. I like vanilla in that brand but it can get "grainy" at the bottom. The chocolate ones congeal a bit IMO. My fav RTD is Oh Yeah Vanilla and Cream. I also like their Strawberries and Cream but Vanilla's my fav. I also like the Pure Protein cans in Cookies and Cream. strawberry in that brand is nasty (to me) as is Vanilla. fyi. Mint Cookies and Cream got a bit minty half way through but is do-able. Best of luck! and btw, rtd is ready to drink (already mixed up versions instead of protein powders)

Suggestion for this phase... La Madelline's tomato bisque REDUCED FAT soup is wonderful! Just make sure it's the reduced fat. That's about 150 calories per cup. All you need is a cup of it, it's very filling. Egg salad is good too.. you can blend it if you want. And I woulda DIED if I couldn't have had milk for 6 months and had to do the shakes... so I would seriously ask your dr. about that guideline IssacsGram. And IDK on the tomatoes causing ulcers but ask your dr.'s is all I can suggest. Best of luck! xx Stephanie

I am 7 months out (nursing a freaking leak, long story) but I am at my original goal. I was 254 in feb 2012 and as of 10/2012 I am 147 this morning (yay). My original goal was 150. The BMI chart I think in my dr's office for a 5'7" female says 140 (I'm 38 years old btw). I thought 10 lbs over that should be a good "stable" weight..? IDK anymore though! As I've gotten smaller and closer to my original goal though, I have asked other ppl's inputs. I've measured my bone frame size (as per the internet) and holy crap, I'm almost a 'small' bone frame. WHO KNEW THAT? I always said I was 'big boned' lol. I've hit my goal size (an 8!!!) and even got into 6's (barely! but could sit down in low waisted size 6 jeans) last weekend. I used to wear a size 10 ring on my left hand. I'm now in a size 7. Wow right? (I still can't believe THIS IS ME!) So with that all being said... when do I 'stop' the fight and go into 'maintenance' mode? Per the bone charts, I would be "normal" at 135-140. I've had a secret goal of 140 for a while, but here lately I am hungrier more and more and honestly? It worries me. So what is "sustainable"? IDK... I've fought to lose the weight for most of my life. Now what do I do? Talk about life changer! My dr. btw says I am great at any weight where I am now. Even 160 is ok really. But for once in my life, I honestly want to get where I never even opened my mind to possibly occuring... and it's happening. WEIRD. I say go to where you are happy. I'm happy where I am now and if I can sustain it with a "normal" eating life, then ok. If I gain, then up to 160... perhaps is ok. Maybe even 170. I'm allowing myself to think in more than 'black and white' of what the scale says. As long as my health is still good, I am in a decent size/feel ok, exercise and no problems medication wise, then... it'll be good. But yeah I'm even striving to hit that 135-140. At least hit it once in my life... then stabilize. So not a real answer but if you have input for me, I appreciate it too... best of luck in your journeys all! xx Stephanie

Sorry just saw the question on the can of pumpkin/size... I use the 15 oz cans of libby pumpkin puree. I use half of the can per recipe. You could probably add more, but the calories change. I know what my brands in this recipe equate to (and it's about 100 calories per 1/2 c. a serving per mfp inputs). But know that it differs depending on what you use brandwise. But yessss it's good!

Hey happycrazylion here is my pumpkin cheesecake recipe: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/53598-pumpkin-recipes/page__hl__+pumpkin%20+cheesecake#entry506734 I try to post recipes on here from time to time. In that thread there is reference to other pumpkin items too! And thanks lessofmeismore... IDK how strong I am sometimes, but God made me go through this experience so that I will know I am sure. This isn't going to beat me dang it... but some days, I DO whimper... sometimes rather loudly! lol Best always to you all! xx Stephanie

Actually through what research I've done - shows on t.v. and ppl I've spoken to, it's rather common. Do you ever catch "my 600 lb. life" on t.v.? SEVERAL of the folks who were 600+ lbs have said the same thing on those shows! You adapt to the hand given to you, now it's unlearning and readapting. I've also heard it in my WLS support group. You aren't alone. It's a life changer this surgery and sounds like you are starting to 'see' and recognize it. Congrats and best wishes on your journey! xx Stephanie

omg those are tooooo cute! lol yeah i'm the "petite" girl now, rofl... who would have ever known/thought that before?

Get some Miralax and mix it in your shakes. As I got further out, I then switched to stool softeners. YOU ARE NOT ALONE in this tmi segment you posted. Hang in there! It gets easier! And I hate Water, but love crystal light like add ins. My current addiction is "crush" flavors that I found at Family Dollar or Dollar General of all places. Best of luck! xx Stephanie

It takes a WHILE for your brain to catch up to your weight loss. Here's a site someone told me about - http://www.mybodygallery.com/search.html?height=5+9&weight=160&pant=any&shirt=any&zphoto=Large&rectangle=1&new=1 look up ppl that are your height and weight and it shows real pix of ppl. I am now referred to as "petite" (wth????) and that "skinny girl who works out like a fiend"... how different than what I've been used to for so long. Congrats on your successes and may they only continue! Rock those clothes!!! xx

IDK that I'm one of the best ppl to answer this question. I'm a complicaiton experience from surgery. My body rejected a staple in my original suture line and I ended up leaking, found a few weeks after my original surgery. I was 'fixed' but still had small leaks occuring. Long story, but I'm still nursing a leak now. I was self pay, spent quite a bit of moola on having this surgery and crappy insurance since caused me to spend much more with the complications. With all of that being said, and all of that struggle that I've gone through, no I do not regret surgery. I am the smallest size I've ever been in my life. I've lost 100+ lbs. and I am healthier, even with nursing a leak. Most ppl don't have this sort of thing occur, but .... to those of us that have, IDK how many do regret it or don't. It sucks having complications and is a long hard road to haul to get 100% well (at least it has been in my case); however, I could have tried to do this again w/o surgery and the recidivism rate of not having surgery might have engulfed me as it had previously (I've lost 60-80 lbs at least twice in my life already and always gained it back). I worry about remaining a WLS success story; however, I'm a different person outward appearance anyways.... and I feel much healthier. So no, I don't regret it. Best of luck to you! xx Stephanie

I love SF "crush" packets in my water. I buy them at Dollar General (or is it Family Dollar? sorry brain fart, it's one of them). I also love Fruit20 water ... peach is my favorite. Propel berry is good too!

I love that you said this about the cycle of loss for your body. Another friend of mine on MFP and I were speaking via email and she even said your body has to recalculate sometimes. It's the set weight that your body is trying to readjust to. As in when you were overweight, your body knew ok 250 is normal for me. Well losing so much in such a small period of time, the body is going yikes! Wait a minute.. ok wait... 180 is now normal. Ok I'm adjusted, lose again. With that being said, I am 7.5 months out and nursing a leak. I had the leak originally after surgery, was fixed with a second surgery, but still had a leak. Now we've found it didn't heal and I'm on liquids since 9/3, trying to get it to heal on it's own. Except the last two weeks, I am HUNGRY. I wish I was like I think it was Lolly saying she is never hungry. Sometimes it might still be head hunger, but sometimes it's not. I am sure it's the liquid diet that I'm on and now I have another medication to take every 4 hours (but has to be 1 hour before you eat anything else and 2 hours after anything you eat... good golly that's difficult!). The last two or three days, I've just wanted to say "screw it" which a couple of times I have. It's hard to get my Water in with this schedule - especially when soon as I can, I ingest something & I choose food over water as my tummy's GROWLING. Thanks for posting what you did. I'm looking for answers in my own stumbles in my journey, so appreciate the words you guys share and how I can apply that to my issues. Best of luck to you all! xx Stephanie