Minckle

If you're exercising, keep in mind that your body is changing and gaining muscle which might not be reflected on the scale. My trainer friend told me to pay attention to my measurements and only weigh once a week or longer. It's amazing how many inches I can drop without the scale moving! Keep the faith. It WILL happen.

I didn't use any binder until I had some nerve pain around one of my incisions about a month out. Otherwise, I don't know that I would have been to keen on a binder before that. I just used my daughter's mini Pillow Pet, too - ironically, it's a pig.

I took it starting Day One. They gave it to me in the hospital; it was the meltable strips, though.

What do you do? I was back at my desk after a week without any problems and started traveling again after Week Two. I would imagine that a very physical job where you are lifting a lot of things, you might need the full three weeks; otherwise that seems really excessive to me. By Week Three I felt completely back to normal.

Try some new mix-ins like almond milk, soy milk, a bit of banana, powdered peanut butter. Dying of curiosity, though: can you have TOO MUCH protein? Why did she say to back down?

My parents have been happily married for 50 years. My mother once told me "If you have to ask yourself if he's The One, then he's not." Believe me - she's right.

Even "unflavored" protein powder has a taste - you will have to hide it in something like soup. I don't recommend that route. I got several Nectar samples before my surgery, tried them all, then bought two tubs of the kind I liked best. Personally, I thought the Isopure drinks were awful. In addition to the Nectar samples, you can go to a Vitamin Shoppe or equivalent and get as many singles as you can find/afford. Your tastebuds will be a bit wacky at first so it's good to have variety. Personally, I lived on Cherry and Oreo Nectar for the first two weeks. Then got heavy into Premier shakes from Costco/Sams. Good luck!

Yep - that's the classic symptom of overdoing it while your body is still healing. I had that exact pain last week after I picked my daughter up a few too many times. Take it easy for a few days and it will go away.

It really depends on the market. Dallas is considered pretty cheap and I paid $12K.

Do you have an abdominal brace? That should help a lot with the back stuff and the pain from sneezing/coughing. Also a heating pad should give you some relief on your back.

Get used to the stops and starts - they will continue. Most people advise that you only weigh yourself once a week. There's no way you will NOT lose weight, but plateaus are normal and you will have lots of them. Just be patient.

You may need electrolytes, too. Try some Diet Gatorade (G2) or the Crystal Light sport mix. Those really helped me.

It will go away with time. I had that at first, but now that I'm three weeks out I'm able to take a normal swallow. Longer-time veterans have said they are back to drinking completely normally.

What a waste of a life! This is very sad.

I'm looking forward to the day when this searing pain becomes a numb spot! Thanks, everyone.

Friends, I'm 3 weeks out and have been doing SO well that it was only inevitable that something happen... The incision below my belly button is causing me serious problems. First, it's not red or oozing - it looks great. But every once in a while, it feels like someone has doused the area with lighter fluid and set it on fire. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's accurate! What's weird is that it's not like I make a sudden movement and it hurts right away; it's more like I'm sitting in a chair, not moving, and suddenly it flares up. The exception being that I sneezed a bit ago and I thought my belly was ripping open. It's not even that the incision itself hurts as much as the skin around it does. I talked to the nurse this morning and she said that the pain sounds normal; that it sounds like the nerves and muscles are regenerating. She suggested heating pads and asked if I needed more Lortab. Look, this is not my first surgery and I was in labor with my daughter for four days. I can handle pain. But this just sucks. Has anyone else experienced this??

Sam's Club or Costco.

Totally normal! I've had a few days of it and my PA says more days are coming. It's from the hormones we are releasing when we lose weight. I finally just told my husband that he had to promise to tell me when I stink; otherwise I'll do what I can. And, yes, bought some Clinical Strength Secret Sport deodorant. What fun!

They are my favorite! My NUT was the person who recommended them to me. The chocolate is fantastic.

Personally, I preferred fruit to the syrup. Mixing half a banana into either flavor will make you feel fuller and more satisfied. The syrups just made me.... restless. It's too fake, I think. Try half a banana or a handful of fruit and see if that doesn't satisfy you a bit better. Just remember that sticking to your diet now will make your recovery much, much, much easier! It's worth it.

Are you mixing your shakes with anything? What flavors of shakes do you have?

I read the book Madeline with my 3 yo daughter a few nights in a row. The night before my surgery, I told her that the next day I was going to the hospital to have my tummy fixed. She was very excited and asked if I would have a scar like Madeline's when I came home. After I got home, she was very sweet and asked to see my boo-boos. She kissed my tummy before she went to bed at night and took the whole thing in stride. Thank god for Madeline!

My notes say: High fever, vomiting and pain in your left side. You wouldn't be able to type this question, I don't think! Soreness is normal, normal, normal. You okay?

Hiya! I'm Meg, 38 years-old, mommy to a precocious 3.5 year-old girl and married to a great guy. I live in Far North Dallas and was sleeved on June 19th. Doing great with it, especially now that I discovered the Premier shakes. Lifesavers!! My email is megdowney@yahoo.com.

Oh, PRE-OP! It would help if I could read!!! Geeeeeeez. Sorry, Susie.