LilMissDiva Irene

Reason to NOT eat this way Pre Surgery: You WILL be able to eat all of your favorite foods once again someday. Thinking about this as an all or nothing type thing is just going to get you into a lot of trouble. Any weight you lose pre-surgery will get you that much closer to your goal post-surgery. In contrast, the more you gain, the more you will need to lose. Preparing yourself for your surgery isn't just physical but is mostly mental. Give yourself a fighting chance by changing your habits now. It is VERY tough post surgery. You will wish you had worked on these issues down the line. You are what you eat. This surgery is a serious one, and you will want to be in the operating room as healthy as you can be. Don't sabotage that by feeding your body the worst possible foods. You are WORTH NOT DOING THIS. Treat yourself better. You've already decided to do this by having this surgery. Live it.

Ok... first of all... HOLY SMOKES GIRLIE!!! You look AMAZING!!! Fantastic job! Now, here's what I think. I've noticed a difference in the different brand / types / strength of all the Biotins. For me, the dry version (not gels) and GNC seems to work the very best for me. I also bumped my dose up to 5,000 instead of 2,500. I tend to agree with Rootman as far as taking too many supplements. I do intend to stop using it once my bottle is empty since my hair is growing back good now. It's not something I plan to use forever. All the best to you!!!

Oh my goodness!!! Girl, you had me at Soy Sauce...

Here it is!

I'm not sure how endowed you are but if you can get a nice soft sports bra. Fruit of the Loom makes a great cotton/spandex blend that's breathable and lightweight... but it's also excellent with support. It is sold in a 2 pack for less than $15, great deal! Good luck!!!

Yes I sure did! I liked the Orange and Purple flavors. However I did have to Water them down a lot because the flavor was a bit much for me post surgery. All the best on your surgery day!!!

Mine didn't last real long, I think it was around a week to 10 days tops. I didn't write it down so I don't have the actual data. However based on many replies around here I've seen it lasts anywhere from 3-5 weeks total.

There have been many many many! But I'd have to say my very best NSV was when I actually completed running my first real 5K event. I never stopped to walk any of it. That was the best feeling I've ever experienced. Especially since barely one year ago I was scheduled for my first of two knee surgeries. I love my sleeve!!!

I'm almost 14 months out and yes I can really eat more than I could at 6 months out. I don't remember the exact amounts at six months but I'd say its noticeable. I can eat probably about 3/4 to one cup of food depending what's on my plate. The only thing that really still gets me full very fast are very dense meats. Dense meats and I won't get past 2-3 oz and maybe one bite of veggies. I still don't feel though that my capacity is too much. I do burn tons of calories with my workouts and even though I'm not outright trying to lose "weight" I am still losing. Even if I didn't workout as much as I do, I'd still be ok with my portions. HTH

Well actually yes, I did have some fleeting feelings of regret in the very beginning. It was not an easy transition for me at all. I had some issues post op where my heeling wasn't as fabulous as most others, so naturally I questioned my decision of having this surgery done. This is very common and there is not one thing wrong with feeling like that. It is a human emotion and is one to be explored and to be discovered as to reasons behind it. Know this though, after my few weeks of feeling this way I centered myself and had to become patient with the process. It's so easy to want to just wake up right out of surgery and to be able to jump up and run around like I was used to doing. That's me and my persona, who I am. I don't like being sick or being in pain. I do have a high tolerance for pain but when it's enough to bring me down I can be a little negative about it. It was pretty much a 2 week process with me. I'm pretty sure lack of calories and fluids didn't help the situation either. However today, I feel absolutely and completely different!!! I'm one of the biggest (well maybe not biggest anymore... LOL) cheerleaders for the sleeve!! I love love LOVE my sleeve and now have ZERO regret on having this done. It literally saved my life, my sanity and gave me everything I used to dream about. I would do this again in a heartbeat if I had to. Best wishes in your journey! Don't let anyone talk you down or question your willingness to become that person you've been longing to be.

I never allow anything outside of myself define me. The only things that define me are my heart and my mind. I used to... but never anymore. It was interesting though as the pounds melted away. I think the biggest thing that struck me was the reflection in the mirror. It wasn't what I was used to seeing so it sort of gave me a little identity crisis. I think I'm pretty much over it now. Time I think is the only cure for that. Now all that said, the clothes issue is so fixable! I've found that I love my wardrobe now far more than I ever did, and seriously, I've always liked dressing nice.

LOL yeah me too, and I was expecting it even - though I wasn't sure exactly the day. I just get so sidetracked ya know? I'm doing good lady how are you today???

SKC!!!! Looking really REALLY great girlie!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us - you have done EXCELLENT!!! Such an inspiration!

Oh no... don't allow that to hurt your feelings. They are just nameless faceless people on the internet. Just hold your head up and realize that in one year you are going to likely be at or near goal and feeling fantastic!!! Big Hugs!!!!

They kicked you off? How did they do that? In reality no one ever wants to believe they might be facing another surgery one day and that they might have made a mistake. Not saying that it's for sure but the revision rate for the band is exceptionally high. Don't worry about them, you will find a lot us revisioned band to sleevers here. I'm one and I wasn't even a slip. Mine never worked, and I won't let anyone tell me it was me and not the band. I worked so hard with it and I never got anything out of it. If that were the case I'd never have been as successful with my sleeve. I did in 10 months with my sleeve what I couldn't do half of with my band in almost 3 years.

I really like the new look myself... still trying to figure out how to navigate. It doesn't seem too difficult though. LIKE!!

Don't worry about that! Just like any normal weight loss journey most everyone will experience some ups and downs. Her weight gain will no doubt turn into great losses over the long haul. Also, everyone's journey is their own. It's always best to not compare yours to hers or anyone else's journey's. I wish you much success!

Hi Monty No worries, what you are experiencing is quite normal. The slime comes from what our bodies create in our esophagus to help expel the stuck food, like lubrication. When learning to eat with our sleeves not everything is going to work right away. If you eat something that you're not ready for you will find out right away. This does not mean you won't ever be able to eat it, just that you're not quite ready for it yet. Try it again in a few weeks and see how you do then. Also, once you eat something that your body rejects you end up sort of aggravating yourself, so likely everything you eat won't sit right. I suggest going back to liquids for a day or two to allow your esophagus swelling to go down some. Of course, I'm no Dr! So, if you are experiencing a lot of pain or swelling, please contact your surgeon. HTH! Congrats on your new tummy!!