legal loser

I don't know if you can use this years card to for surgery next year. That is something you better research.

I drink Water and PowerAide Zero by the bottle so I can keep track of my liquids that way. When I home, I have a go-to glass that holds 16 ozs so I can track that way as well. I have no problem stay hydrated. Yes, you should tell your dentist. Your medical history is very important with them. HIPAA prohibits them from telling anyone. As for food, yes, I weigh and measure everything to make sure I stay under my max carbs for the day and over my minimum Protein for the day.

Before surgery, I committed to my surgeon no alcohol for 6 months. I am not a big drinker, but have had a few happy hours I couldn't have a drink. In my mind, it's worth it. But, I am counting down until Oct 24th!

I wen on a 5 mile canoe trip 4 weeks out.

Ask about your surgeon about his success rate and complication rate. Ask how long his patients have to be off work on average. Questions about recovery, how long before you can do things. How long is the hospital stay. His goal weight for you, follow up care....do you see him or a PA. Anything that comes to your mind. Anything you need an answer with to be comfortable with your decision to have surgery. No question is dumb.

Nashville area here.

Attend seminars offered by different surgeons, even if in same surgery group. Attend support groups and ask around. Research. For me, when I attended the seminar hosted by the surgeon I ended up going with, I felt instantly at ease with him. While there were others in attendance, it felt like he was talking only to me. He tags himself more conservative than others on the post op side, which I liked....even if that means I'm still on puréed until 9 weeks post op. His father had bypass (not by him) so I knew he doesn't just know the surgery side.... He understands the home aspect and life aspect of WLS. I say trust your gut. Who is the right surgeon for you might not be the right surgeon for someone else, but always trust your instincts!

I still do a shake a day. Usually an Atkins chocolate or dark chocolate. Typically around 3 pm, which use to be afternoon snake time. It's nice to get my chocolate fix and protein together! Keep up the good work April sleevers. Love hearing everyone's success and tips!

I live alone with 2 basset hounds. My mom came down a couple days before surgery to keep my mind busy and not worrying about surgery. I had surgery on a Tuesday and was released on Thursday. My mom stayed just over a week after surgery. I was able to care for myself, but she helped with the dogs and household chores. It was nice to have her that long.

Bought the margarita yesterday at Target! YUM! Might have to try the other flavors. Also noticed a Target Brand Daiquiri one.

I never used the little medicine cups. I just kept (and still do) something by my side at all times.....plain Water, water mixed with Protein drinks, Powerade zero, water mixed with Crystal Light, and Special K20 protein water mix. I just keep myself sipping sipping sipping. You will know when you sip too fast, or at least I did....I would feel it slowly gurgle, and then you just slow down. It took me about 4 weeks to get up to 64 oz regularly. Before surgery I easily drank 64 oz before lunch. Now, it takes me all day to get it in, but I do. Its a slow process to get there, but you will! I found it easier after surgery to not drink super cold water, but more room temp.

Firming lotions might help with skin elasticity and getting it to "shrink"....but probably not any better than any other lotion. The key is keeping it moisturized and what will happen, will happen. There is no magic answer. I think "spanx" like things will help keep any excess skin less noticeable. I'm down over 40 and starting to think about those, especially with dresses.

I'm tracking observations of people's reactions as I lose weight. Curious to see the way different people act.

I do net carbs per nutritionist. See what your doctor or NUT says.

My doctor's preference is RNY. That is what he first trained in and was one of the last doctors in his bariatric group to add VSG. I want into my consult 98% I wanted sleeve and about 2% toward band. He never pushed the RNY on me. He wanted me to own my surgery, which he thinks is essential to long term success. I would not be comfortable with a doctor who wouldn't let me own the surgery. Just over 7 weeks out, down 39 pounds and loving it!

I was for 2.5 weeks after surgery. I could have used one more week because I was so tired. I have a desk job.

It gets better, PROMISE! I'm just over 6 weeks out. My doctor is ultra conservative and requires pureed food until 8 weeks out. I can eat most of my food selections without any problem now. Don't get me wrong though, if I take too big of a swallow of water, I can feel it. There have been times at work, I've had to get up at work and walk the halls to help the water work its way down.

You will learn to recognize your own fullness signals. You don't want to reach that overfull feeling or you will regret it. As you progress, you will learn your body's signatures. And, you will learn what your new stomach can tolerate might vary from day to day.

I think there are new health care laws that prohibit the use of "pre-existing" conditions from being used to deny health care. Clearly, after surgery we are (typically) healthier.

Agree. It's hard to recondition our minds to get the word "only" out of our vocabulary.

I agree, it's your business. I told some people before, my boss new, and I took FMLA and sick leave because I was out 12 days. If you take medical, your HR department shouldn't share that with people and they cannot tell others why you are out. I also wanted to make sure if, God forbid, there was a complication, I had all my ducks in a row for FMLA and short term disability in case I needed to be out longer. Now that I have had surgery and people are starting to notice the weight loss, I find I am more open about who I tell. Some people, I simply state I'm on a "special diet" or I am doing high Protein, low carbs. Others, I tell them the truth. I don't care if people want to judge me and claim it's the easy way out (Lord knows it's not). I made a decision to extend my life long-term and if they can say negative things about that, they are the ones that look bad. But, you have to do what is right for you in your eyes.

Starting Weight: 260 Sleeved 4/24 Current weight: 225.5 Down 34.5 pounds Would love to be at (or below) 200 on my birthday July 15th (just over 5 weeks away)....will be okay at 210 since that would be 50 pounds gone.

Sounds good to me. I have had to learn not to compare myself to others!

Follow what your surgeon says. I'm suppose to get in a least 60 grams of protein from food and supplement with shakes as needed.