kmwheel

Yes, absolutely. I am 6 weeks out and I haven't made a thing. It's like having crafter's block because you don't want to make something that will be too big. I'm having the same issue with clothes. My clothes are getting really loose, but I don't want to go buy something just to have it not fit in a few weeks. The only thing I've really purchased is swimsuits, because a swimsuit falling off during Water aerobics would be BAD! I really need to get back on the wagon. Maybe I'll just start with a scarf or something that's one-size. How are things going for you post-surgery?

This looks so good, but I dunno, I'm still pretty mad at them about Dawnguard. I can't believe I paid full price for that expansion.

I think a lot of it has to do with the actual hospital cost. I had a few choices of hospitals, and there was a really fancy one that would have bumped my surgery cost up by about 4k. If you spend some time on the boards, you might get a feel for which hospitals sound good to you. I went for one that was clean and had good care. I think most of them are just fine. Then there's the recovery segment. Some surgeons will send you to a "recovery house" and others to a hotel (I was at a hotel and it was gorgeous). Again, it just all boils down to your comfort level. I think that my surgeon was on the lower end of price range (not the cheapest, but) and I had high quality care and service from start to finish. I just had a 6 week follow-up with my PCM and she could not believe how great I'm doing and the price I paid for the really great service.

Sometimes people say really dumb thing because they think (who knows where they got the idea) that they're being lighthearted or funny, when in reality, they're just being asses. If she feels like you have a close enough relationship to say something like that to you, then I would tell her that it really hurts your feelings that she's being very glib with a major life choice (and a major surgery to boot). I'm not sure if she's the type to make fun of everything, and I think that it's hard to gauge that outside of our nice little circle of support here, but just write it off to poor social skills I guess!

This is why I didn't tell anyone before I went (except my husband and best friend). You have to make this decision for you. I made this decision to save my life...I wasn't willing to let anyone talk me out of it.

Holy schnikes! You don't even look the same. Way to rock that sleeve!

I would try different temp, or flavors. The old sugar free Water flavoring packs that I used to use are way too sweet for me. I can do maybe 1/2 of one with 20+ oz. of water. What I'm doing right now is mixing in just a little N2 (it's like the G2 Gatorade, but the Aldi brand lol) with my water. It changes it just enough for me to get it down. It does get easier...you had surgery 3 days before me! Also, when I drink the water, I still swallow air, so I get gas bubbles (I take gas-x for that) and reflux (generic Zantac or Prilosec). The acid reducers help me so much. I didn't even know I had reflux before the surgery, but I realized that a lot of the "hunger" I always felt was probably my reflux, and when I would eat, it would go away.

I ate a fun-size Twix and didn't have a problem, so the candy goes to work with my husband in the morning!

I feel the same way when I go home. My dad's very overweight, diabetic, has to shoot up insulin regularly. They both have hypertension, high cholesterol, my mom's had a hip replacement, all the bones in her feet fused, and now her spine's shot to hell and she needs two knee replacements. They've both eaten it up at restaurants since they've retired and it shows. Mom lost 40 lbs. but it was really too late with her. Arthritis and wearing heels to work all those years ruined her. I felt like I was 39 going on 60, and I knew I couldn't do it on my own. Now I feel like I've got a second chance at life that my mom and dad never got. I didn't really have a pre-op diet either, just healthy eating and liquids for three days prior with nothing to eat the night before. My doc said my liver shrunk up just fine. Good luck, Tram. Let us know how it goes!!

Really, if you think about it, Chicago would be a far worse place to have your surgery. They just put out a PSA with kids saying, "Don't shoot, I want to live!". I went to Tijuana and felt very safe in the area where they kept us. We walked quite a few blocks down the street to the mall, the hotel was gorgeous, and there was a Starbucks across the street. We even got used to the language barrier pretty quickly. You are either with a coordinator or medical transport...my husband was a little embarrassed that all of his fears so quickly dissipated once we got there. He was afraid I'd come back without my kidneys! Just remember, these places are like any big city...your guides will make sure to keep you in the safe areas. It's not in their best interest for patients to get robbed, etc.

Oh goodness, I can feel your pain. I definitely think that a band will help. At the very least, it might keep the incisions from pulling. I felt a lot better wearing a body shaper top to hold everything in, and it made me feel more stable. I substitute teach, but mostly high school, so it wasn't terrible when I went back, but I still found it hard to get my water and protein in. I am a side sleeper, too, so I felt a lot better when I could get positioned for that. I think that was probably about day 5 or 6 post-op...I sort of put a pillow under the side of my tummy so the incisions wouldn't pull.

I'm a little over a month out and I remember all of those feelings. If it makes you feel any better, that all feels like a distant memory. Were you given acid reducers to take? I did a LOT better when I remembered to take those and the Gas-x strips. My incisions started to feel a lot better in week 2, if I remember correctly. Seriously, it will go fast...give yourself time to heal. I hope that your work isn't too strenuous??

I think having a surgeon and staff who are willing to go to bat for you will make all the difference. I had a very similar thing happen to me, but I did not give up. It took me nearly two years to coordinate, but I ended up going self-pay in Mexico. I sincerely hope that you will get approval and be able to move forward with your life. Getting the sleeve is one of the best decisions I've ever made. The very best one, of course, was marrying my husband, who has always supported me and loved me no matter what! Let us know what happens!

I have the same issue. I get sort of sick and dizzy when I'm drinking the water. Just keep sipping or try flavors...that can help. I have to take a blood pressure pill that dehydrates me, so I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. Hoping the dr. will prescribe me a different one when I go in Nov. I'm a little over 5 weeks out, too.

Those are adorable...you look great, too!!

You are so right about that. If he's really meant to be with you, he's going to love all of you. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by his reaction. Everyone I've told so far has been really supportive and happy for me. If he isn't, there are more fish in the sea. But I'm going to say one thing to you...nobody is "out of your league". That's silly, self-defeating talk. Everyone wants to love and be loved by someone who "gets" them. If they don't get you...it's not your fault or theirs, but there are no leagues. I have been married 17 years and with this same man for 22. I'm sure there are some who'd say he's out of my league and vice-versa. But we get each other, we have the same sense of humor...he's in the military and very fit, I'm the least athletic and graceful person in the world. It's about feeling loved, feeling safe, feeling supported...

I used to wear a 9w and now none of my shoes fit. I'm in an 8.5 medium 35 days post-op.

Yes..it takes a couple of weeks, but then it will be pretty dramatic. I remember the first time I looked down and realized my boobs were bigger than my belly!! Don't worry.

I avoid them if I can. I'd rather have "real" food. I did drink one the other day (Premier Protein RTD vanilla from Sam's Club), and I made it through, but it's not my first choice. They're not terrible, they just feel so heavy on my sleeve.

That smile says it all. You are lookin' great!! I start water aerobics tomorrow with my mother-in-law...so excited.

The taste didn't bother me, but the rubbery texture did. I think they'd be worth a try, but not if you have to spend tons to get some. Do you have any Asian markets or even natural food stores around where you might get a bag to try? I might be willing to try simply.torri's idea of the crockpot, though. One of the grains I really like is quinoa...it does have some carbs, but it has protein, too, and it's really tasty to me.

I am so happy you're here and your date is coming up so quickly! I was sleeved 9/14 and already feel like it's the best decision I could have made for me (down 30 lbs.). I feel like I can look forward to being an active grandma now (in 10-20 years lol, my oldest is only 15) instead of watching from the sidelines like my mom with her bad knees, ruined feet, and terrible arthritis.

Amazing progress, thanks so much for sharing your story!!

That is so awesome. I always wondered if it would even be a good deal anymore to go to an all-inclusive resort, but now I think...absolutely. It would be fun to taste a lot of different things!! Congratulations on your vacation loss and all that walking!

I'm about 4 weeks out and I've been cooking and going out to eat quite a bit, and it hasn't been hard for me. In my case, the surgery has really cut back on my hunger, and I don't feel jealous or left out at all. I guess the best way I can put it is that food seems like art to me now...it's so pretty to look at, it smells good, and I even take little tastes, but I don't feel the need to shove it all in me. It has liberated me so quickly, I still can't believe it. I have three kids and a husband to cook for, so it wasn't like it was really a choice for me not to cook, but I have done a lot of pre-made oven meals and simple things for now. When I go out to eat, I just order something I'll be able to eat, have a little bit, and box up the rest. Nobody's even said a word to me or looked at me funny. Oh wait, one waitress said, "You didn't like your egg?" because I could only eat half of one egg. Nobody even gave me a second glance for ordering off the children's menu!