SqueakyWheel&Ethyl

Last time I checked, this website was a support group for everything that is involved in the lives of fellow Sleevers. If you can't, or flat out just don't WANT to be supportive of a fellow Sleever in pain, then MOVE ON and keep your criticism to yourself. I have NO DESIRE to support a spouse of a Sleever who is suffering. I don't need to hear the other side of the story. I LIVED IT MYSELF. You can't make this crap up! If my Sister-Sleever is asking for comfort, that's what she gets from me.

85 lbs in 4 1/2 months? WOW! I'm down 27 lbs in 5 weeks. The notion that one with Hashimoto's can lose that much THAT FAST is music to my eyes!

Where did you get that Synthroid causes weight gain?!? ABSOLUTELY false! HYPOTHYROIDISM causes a drag in the metabolism. The disease causes weight gain. The drug props your thyroid up so it can attempt to function properly. If you don't take it, your thyroid may likely continue to deteriorate. I suppose it could slow down any weight loss you want from the sleeve. I wouldn't be surprised if a neglected sick thyroid would run a higher risk of developing cancer, though I haven't researched that because I never miss my Synthroid. If you are hell-bent on avoiding Synthroid, I'd suggest finding out if you should prepare for cancer in a few years. I don't mean to sound harsh.... Truly. Just learn all you can. Ignorance begets fear. Fear begets anger. Conquer it. Learn all you can. Managed with one tiny pill daily, Hypothyroidism is one of the mildest long-term chronic conditions one can face.

I bought the blender. I bought the plain vanilla yogurt. I bought the frozen raspberries. I have the whey Protein powder. I can't find recipes that sound good! Help, please???

It's our responsibility as Sleevers to educate the ill-informed. This is NOT the easy way out. It is a lifetime commitment to good health and it isn't just handed to us. We still have to be mindful of what we eat. The end REALLY DOES justify the means in this topic. America has an obesity problem that is not slowing down. Everyone I know who struggles to lose weight tries a variety of appetite suppressants. And, they are not judged harshly for trying them. The majority of those who lose weight end up gaining it all back and more. Sleeve is the most effective appetite suppressant available and its long-term success rate blows all the others out of the water! It's that simple. It's not the easy way. It's the smart way and its worth every penny, every abandoned cheeseburger, every change of wardrobe, all of it. We get to be healthy again! And WHATEVER IT TAKES, everyone needs to redirect themselves to better health. No judgment.

I was on clear liquids for the first three days (including surgery day). Then full liquids for 3 weeks. Don't worry about drinking ALL of the protein drink this early in the process. Just continually sip, and take in a much protein drink as you an comfortably tolerate. My Dr wanted me to set a goal for 30 gm of protein per day for the first week, then raise the goal to 60/day. I RARELY get in 60/ay even now, but I am mindful of it and keep trying. Don't be too hard on yourself. Just keep sippin.'

Te best reliable total pain reliever is accupuncture. I highly recommend it.

Two Excedrin Migraine chased with a flat Mountain Dew... Or strong tea. The caffeine with the pills will help. Then, SLEEP.

I'm excited for you... I'm excited for me... But right now, I'm more excited for your aunt! I really am! Isn't it wonderful to know you can cast a pebble into the water and see the impact spread out to others? Those ripples in the water are your aunt.... And hopefully my brother... And others we love getting on the right track with us! Congratulations!

This is the WORK part. Every sip is a success. Take a TEENY sip every 3-5 minutes. In 24 hours, you will find it easier. In 48 hours, you'll increase the volume significantly. In a week, you'll look back on today and tomorrow and think, 'Wow, I've come a long way already!' Just stay focused on what your job is. Sip every three minutes. Try a variety. Clear chicken broth. Jello. Water. In a couple of days you can have full liquids, and it might take an entire day to get in an 11 oz protein shake, but a few days later, you'll be able to drink two. Expect to feel a 'heartburney' feeling in your sternum for the first 5 days or so. And, DON'T BE A HERO! Take your pain meds. Sleep A LOT! As soon as you wake up, take a sip. This, too, shall pass! It gets easier. I promise.

We are excited for you! I'm in Conroe. What part of Texas are you from? Complete your profile. Blog. The more you participate in comments, questions, blogs, etc, the more you will benefit from this place. Need a friend? I'm here. Need a fitnesspal app buddy? I'm here. I suggest that you take all your measurements the night before your surgery. When you hit a weight-loss stall (typical at 3 weeks post-op), the inches will still be melting away. My first week post-op experience is blogged. Take a look.

I have three comments on this. 1. This is the BEST blog entry I've read on this site. Ever. 2. You should be published. Send it to SHAPE or other health and fitness magazines. 3. Whoever wrote this SHOULD be a mother. Foster. Adopt. Hire a surrogate. Whatever it takes, make a child blessed, because they get to call you Mommy.

My surgery was April 17th. I took all my measurements the night before my surgery. I took them again tonight. I've lost a total of 14 inches! That's A LOT in one month! Here's how it looks. I'm 5' 7". Forehead 23 5/8 23 5/8 Neck 17 1/4 16 1/2 Chest 46 1/8 44 Breasts 48 1/4 47 1/2 Waist 46 45 1/2 Hips 52 1/4 51 5/8 Bicep-L 16 3/8 14 1/4 Bicep-R 16 15 1/4 Forearm-L 12 11 1/2 Forearm-R 11 1/2 11 5/8 Wrist-L 6 3/4 6 3/4 Wrist-R 6 3/4 6 3/4 Thigh-L 29 1/2 27 1/8 Thigh-R 29 3/4 28 1/8 Calf-L 17 3/4 17 3/8 Calf-R 18 17 5/8 Ankle-L 9 5/8 9 1/4 Ankle-R 9 3/4 9 3/8 I'm going to measure monthly. The results from inches lost will be a bigger victory than the pounds.

This is a REALLY GOOD topic to discuss! I felt EXACTLY the same way you do! EXACTLY! I tried to get the insurance company to waive it because of my liver disease, arguing that every day that we delay, more damage is happening to my liver and 6 months is precious time needed to take action to avoid a transplant! They wouldn't budge from this requirement. My surgeon had me meet with one of his partners monthly during the 6 months. I told her I didn't WANT to diet and lose weight because I was afraid the insurance company would deny it because I could lose weight. She told me not to worry about it. She had never seen anyone denied after the six month wait. What I didn't expect was how much I benefitted from that 6 months. My NUT doctor gave me helpful hints to help me to adapt to permanent changes (like no more carbonated drinks, finding alternative beverages). And, I had lots of time to really think about the PERMANENT life change. If I had the surgery as fast as I had wanted (within a few weeks), I would have been second-guessing my decision. I would have doubted myself and maybe even regretted it. As it is, I was able to go into that OR, with an incredible sense of peace, and joyful anticipation of the birth of my NEW LIFE. It's okay to be frustrated, but please know that a lot of good will come from this wait. And, it will DEFINITELY be worth it!

He sure sounds like my first husband. Is his name Gene, too? He convinced me to have a "unique" relationship, too. You need to drag his butt into counseling with you! He's a narcissistic ass who isn't honoring his marriage vows to love you through thick AND thin. I doubt he's going to change. I suggest you lose another 180-200 lbs by shedding that burden. I would never recommend divorce before, but, oh, my gosh, he sounds like my ex and ending that relationship was the healthiest thing I ever did! Whatever you make peace with, start being a little more self-centered. You deserve it and it will throw Mr Have-My-Cake-And-Eat-It-Too off balance.

I'm ConroeCat

My GP submitted 15 months. My GP before him closed her practice, and he couldn't get my records. Insurance was fine with that.

Are you exercising? Toning? As you may already know, muscle weighs more than fat. Exercise beefs up the muscle while melting away the fat. Even if you are moving easier and feel more energetic, your muscle tone may be improving. Measure yourself. Log it. And measure again in a month. I bet you will see significant results that way, that will explain why you aren't seeing more drastic weight-loss numbers.

Ditto

I live with constant body itching, but it has nothing to do with the procedure. All over itching is (in MY case) a symptom of an inflamed liver. I would recommend that you share this with your Dr on your next appt. I'd also recommend requesting a liver function test (routine blood test). A friend at work had the Lap-Band, and a couple of weeks later, her liver function sky-rocketed! She's okay, but had to go to Baylor to be monitored, and, I guess whatever ticked off her liver just corrected itself. Still, I'd not ignore it. Our liver and kidneys carry the physical traumatic stress post-op. It might just be a little ticked off.

One word. Enema. Get flushed out TODAY. You will be grateful you did in a couple of days.

I'm three weeks and in the Puréed stage. I open a can of chunk white meat chicken and mix it with Miracle Whip and chop up the chicken very fine. I eat it on a Ritz cracker. I know it isn't purée, but I crave crunchy, so I eat the cracker to mush and swallow it in tiny increments, chasing it down with Water. Space ONE BITE apart every five minutes. I also like a scrambled egg. It takes 1/2 hour to eat it. And, I like Luby's baked white fish. Eat it to the point of mincing it up. It's good! (Luby's is a cafeteria franchise in Texas).

I would go. Make a plate. Eat two bites of soft food only and make an excuse to get up and walk away for five minutes. If your tummy isn't barking, take one bite and find another distraction, this time, taking your plate with you. Dump what you KNOW you can't eat (discreetly). And if you feel like it, DO graze through the day. One nibble here... Another there. Soft food only. You'd be surprised how easily you will blend in.