melodymouse

The only thing I would add is veggies. Spinach is one of my staples. I steamed my veggies and ate them when my family ate pasta, rice or potatoes. Anything you might put over these starches, you can put over veggies! Now I'm far enough out I can eat them raw. Hooray!! Raw veggies were ironically the only food I "mourned" post surgery.

Great job! I agree!!

Please be careful! Eating Fiber as an appetite suppressant without drinking enough liquid to pass it through can cause blockage and lead to very serious complications. Trust me! I had my intestines twist and had to have a bowel resection which was REALLY horrible!! It didn't happen for me because of fiber but was just a freak thing. Either way, it is definitely NOT something you want to go through!!

This one scares me! I postponed my surgery because I found out less than 2 weeks before that a relative of a good friend was in the hospital dying of liver failure. She had cross addicted to alcohol after surgery to deal with her problems because she couldn't eat and alcoholism runs in my family so it concerned me. She died at age 32 and left 3 kids behind. = (

Thanks! You too! You're off to a great start!!

I have been very honest about how I lost weight. It has made such an incredible difference in my life that if my choice encourages even one person to jump off the diet roller coaster and improve the quality of their life, then so much the better! I am very proud of myself, the courage it took for me to rise above my critics and succeed in spite of them. When someone makes a crack about the "Easy way out", I just snicker and say to them "CAREFUL! Your ignorance is showing!" And nothing more. Because they are ignorant about what WLS is, how or why it works. Giving what other people say or think about me more value than I give myself, is how I got in this mess in the first place! I will NEVER again allow anyone to have that kind of power over me!! The only person's opinion of me that TRULY matters, is My OWN!!!

I didn't lose anything for 2 months. (9-11) I thought I was done and went out and bought new clothes. Then I started losing again so now my clothes look too big. You definitely need to change things up. Try a different kind of exercise every couple of weeks. I also upped my carbs for a week, good carbs, fruits and veggies, and then went back on just liquid protein for 3 days. That worked almost every time I would stall out. Keep your body guessing but make sure you're getting enough protein and calories to keep from going into starvation mode. Remember as you lose and become more active, your body's needs change. So you have to make adjustments.

Hooray! Congratulations!

Sorry in advance if my story scares anyone. The first night I tried to sleep on my side was in week 3. I had this weird sensation that I can only relate to a feeling like when I was pregnant and had little arms flailing around inside me. This was unfortunately my intestines flip flopping. They twisted like one of those balloons you make animals out of. As my meals progressed to more solid food it created a full obstruction and I wound up in the hospital for 10 days and had to have a second surgery to correct it. The worst part was my Dr kept insisting I must have eaten something I shouldn't have to cause the blockage, that is until he got in there and saw what had happened. I also reminded him that I had been emailing him since week 4 suspecting I had a problem. It was not anything I had done but just a freak thing, I tell people this because it is a potential complication to be aware of.

I myself chose the sleeve because looking at things long term, i knew it would make me feel more like a normal person and at 14 months out that is pretty much true. I could probably eat anything I want to. I just choose not to. I did not take into consideration that I would not WANT to eat a lot of those foods any more. We have a saying at our support group: "NOTHING tastes as good as THIN FEELS!" This is certainly true for me. I believe that success doesn't come because you had surgery or because you exercise regularly or because of what you put in your mouth. Success comes from changing your mindset because Attitude Is Everything! What you believe about yourself and what you are capable of, makes everything else possible.

I get physically hungry when I don't eat on a regular schedule or get enough protein. SIPPING water helps with the PH. Emotional hunger is a different story. I do much better when I plan distractions to keep my mind busy.

That you can only lose 55-75% of your excess body weight. I'm currently at 104% so Don't you believe it!! = D

Unfortunately, it is possible at any time if you continually over stuff your stomach. There was a lady who used to come to our support group who had it happen twice. Once at 8 weeks and again in a different spot at 9 months! She was eating things she should not have been like too much bread and then drinking when it got stuck and drinking soda. Think about what happens when you shake a can of soda and then pop the top. Same thing can happen in your stomach. If the pressure builds up too much and it can't get out the opening, it will take the path of least resistance, through the staple line. Her advice, don't be stupid!!!

I am 14 months out and have lost 104% of my excess weight. It is very difficult at first to get everything in. I know you are anxious to eat real food, but it is better at this point to go for the better nutrition choices. The liquid protein does double duty, so I recommend that you choose those for the first month-2. Also, things like Greek yogurt or low/non fat cottage cheese, where you get more protein in less food. I did not try to eat 3/meals 2/snacks at first. I put protein powder in my water and sipped it all day. Try walking early in the day. The commercial that says " a body in motion tends to stay in motion" is actually true. Getting your circulation going early in the day will help create more energy! Hope this helps. = )

Hi Nate, truly a tough decision and one only you can make. I myself wish I had had that option at your age. Most of my life has been very unhappily spent on the diet roller coaster. You said you have a therapist and that everything has been approved so your health care professionals obviously think this is the best course for you. Surgery is scary, but take comfort in the fact that you are not alone! We are all here for you! Best wishes and keep us posted. HUGS to you!!

Congratulations! Keep up the great work!

It is most likely normal healing. If you think of cut on your skin, as it heals, things get tighter a even a little more uncomfortable until it reaches a certain point. I've experienced all kinds of new tingles, twinges and even pains in my 14 months. Deep breathing exercises really helped me. They relax not only your body, but your mind! Feel better, soon!

I just had a little nausea on day 3 but the anti-nausea med took it right away. I also got off the morphine as soon as possible which minimized the potential. I was also up walking within a couple of hours which eliminated the gas pain. Most people think its in your intestines and you can "pass it" but it is actually in your chest cavity and has to be absorbed through your cells. Overall, the surgery was a "piece of cake". I'm sure you'll be fine! = )

I went from being hungry All the Time pre-surgery to having to remind myself to eat post-surgery. My hunger started to reappear at about my 1 year anniversary but is just what I call normal reminders to eat. As long as I stay on my meal program I don't have food cravings. I definitely feel full. I have deliberately kept my stomach on the small side. 14 months out and a cup of food makes me feel uncomfortable. I just make my food choices count. At this point, I only write down foods that are new but I still measure/weigh everything! I've lost 104% of my excess weight! = ) I have to admit, I am totally shocked at what people are posting they are eating 3 weeks - 4 months out! Don't forget to read labels. Stay away from foods that are higher in fat, sugar and sodium. WLS is only a TEMPORARY tool. Make the most of it before your body realizes the trick you've played on it. Support groups are full of people who are sorry they didn't take it more seriously. I owe a lot of my success to them!

So wonderful! It is a great feeling to have your child see you in a new light. The first time my 21 year old son called me "skinny" I thought I'd burst into tears with joy. Last week he grabbed my skinny jeans thinking they were his. I have been fat/obese most of his life. It was truly one off the best decisions of my life!!

I only had minor swelling, but try sticking to cool liquid. It will help reduce the swelling. Also, get up an walk every hour. That will increase your circulation and promote faster healing! Best to you and Congratulations!

I would peel it just for the peace of mind. It's a little early to take the chance. I also use the "30 Chew Rule". If things aren't disintegrated in 30 chews, I spit it out. If my teeth can't break it down, there's no way my stomach will be able to.