breezy

They sure are! They bring me SUCH JOY! Part of the reason I wanted to do something serious about my weight is that I was having trouble getting down in the sand with them at the beach and playing! Or getting on the floor to play. I didn't want to miss that because of my weight! It's getting better now, and I just started exercising with a girlfriend. I'm hoping to build a great sandcastle with them, or bury them in sand, this summer!:scared0:

You weren't a pain in the rear! Don't think that. I think this forum is a wonderful way to reach out to others who are going through, or who have gone through, this process. It's a place where you can be truthful about what is going on with you. I know I am having to re-learn how to eat, too! I'm at 8 weeks out and I find myself shoving food in my mouth like I used too. Too big of spoonfuls and trying to put more in my mouth before I've fully swallowed the first glob! I think I thought that since I accepted that I could only eat a small portion, I could still eat it the way I used to. Dumb, I know, but I wasn't really paying enough attention to what I was doing. I wasn't waiting long enough between swallows to allow the food to go all the way down. I'm trying to pay more attention now and measure out my food. I'm also concentrating on trying to get more liquids (Protein shakes included) and less on eating solid foods. Don't worry about sharing mistakes. We all make them.

You and I have lost just about the same amount of weight in the same timeframe, Grace! It DOES feel good!

Oh Jillian, I don't have any better advice than above, but I feel for what you are going through! Please keep us updated on what is happening with you.

Dr. Aceves told me I had to wait until 8 weeks out to do sit-ups or lift anything over 10 lbs. I've got to admit that I've been lifting my grandchildren (too hard to resist) since about 6 weeks out. Funny thing is that I showed the incision wounds (healed over) to my 5 year old grandgirl, to try to explain why I couldn't lift her, and when she looked upset at the ow'ies, I told her I had the doctor give me extra belly buttons! Now she asks me if I can get into the hot tub (I couldn't until they healed over) and I tell her I can float better than her because I have extra belly buttons. Sounds stupid writing it down, but you should have heard those little girls laugh!

I had one of these recently and it was reading this thread that helped me with my response: (Friend) "I thought about you when I was at a buffet this weekend and felt sorry for you that you could not eat what you wanted...don't you miss that?" (me) "No, I don't miss anything, especially my CPAP machine or my knees hurting when I go down stairs."

This thread is interesting to me, too, because I never seem to have that comfortable full feeling like I did before the sleeve. I feel empty before I eat. The bites are slightly uncomfortable going down, then it seems that at one point, the bites take longer to go down and that's when I feel like I'd better stop. I haven't eaten too much yet -- to the point of vomiting or extreme discomfort. When I stop eating, I just feel uncomfortable for a little while, like something is too high in my throat, but it goes away pretty quickly. I've got to admit I've had some thoughts of wishing I had my old stomach back recently. I'm almost at 2 mos. and I thought I would have an easier time eating solid foods by now. The only thing I can do comfortably is have some warm tomatoe Soup. But I've lost 34 lbs, so that seems to balance things out for me!

Wow, Tiff! Thanks for posting those pictures! You look TINY!!! You _are_ an inspiration! I really appreciate your comments, too. Informative, helpful, well-balanced. Thanks for being here.

Darn, I wish you lived near me! I would come help you move out!!!! I think you've made a good decision. It is a wonderful thing to surround yourself with happy, supportive people.

I don't think I was ever in "pain" after my sleeve. "Ache" is a better word. I was tender around the incisions, of course, but only really noticed the sleeve when I laid on one side. I took the pain meds, but they seemed pretty mild. But I was able to have the spinal tap with my surgery, and I've heard it said by others that the first couple of days are easier with that.

I went shopping and have dropped from a 2-3X to a 18! And when I was trying on clothes in the little room with the BIG mirror, I stripped down to matching panties and bra, and I LIKED my reflection! I was on a high all day!

There weren't any incisions in that area and I haven't done any heavy lifting since the surgery..... I didn't notice it today, so maybe it was just a wierd fluke thing.

Keep us posted! All best wishes!

I appreciate seeing your comments, ouroborous. I'm glad you participate.

Congratulations on the 100 lb mark! That is so incredible! A red-letter day! As far as the muscle pain, I've gone to a GOOD massage therapist AND chiropractor for several years. They have taught me that I can avoid a lot of the problems I am having with STRETCHING!!! Yes! Such a little thing, but I have had BIG RESULTS!!! I heartily recommend it as a daily practice to help your body!

Hi everyone! I'm at about 6 weeks and have lost 34 lbs. I'm on full food and haven't noticed any problems eating anything. Of course I'm still getting used to the new queue's my body gives me for "full" and "empty". AND I'm low on energy -- taking more naps than I used to. I saw my regular doctor last week and she said that B12 is absorbed through the stomach lining and since I have less of that, I may have to get B12 shots to supplement. She had some blood drawn to check it. I still have trouble drinking enough fluids. I have to force myself all day long to keep taking sips, but I bet I don't get more than 30 oz on most days. Something wierd too...just this last week I have noticed a pain in the lower right side of my tummy (near the belly button line) when I cough. It's been there for about 5 days and seems to be increasing rather than going away. Anyone else have anything like that?

I'm 7 wks out and I still am having trouble drinking enough water! I feel it go down, too, and sometimes it's uncomfortable. I get the hiccups if I drink too fast. For me, warm/hot drinks are easier than iced; room temp is 2nd best. I've been told that it gets easier, and I think I can feel an improvement, slowly, every day. I've been trying to have something to drink within reach every moment of the day (except immediately before and after meals). I still think I should be drinking some Gatorade until I can drink more. I ask my family/friends to keep reminding me to "drink, drink!" I'll take a couple of sips and then get busy and forget to drink for awhile.

Very creative!!! I'll use those ideas!

Hi Lynn B! When my friend and I were doing research about the band, we found that 24% of the people who got one had it removed within the 1st three years! I emailed my doctor and he said he recommended the sleeve over the band. Then, when I got to the hospital, I met two ladies who had their band removed and were sleeved. I think there are many people of this forum who have done it. Don't give up on yourself. You've learned a lot from your experience with the band. Your health and happiness is worth more than nice cars, fancy vacations, or renovations on your home! Don't sell yourself short! You ARE worth it.

I hear your frustration, Phatcurves! I had to do a trip 2 weeks out from my surgery and it was all I could do to take care of myself! It is difficult to have to develop whole new ways of eating after a lifetime of eating anything (and sometimes everything) around me! For me, part of this challenge has been putting my needs, emotionally and physically, as the highest priority. The sleeve has FORCED me to change, and change is hard! I'm of the opinion that it is probably not a good idea to make other major changes in your life right now. You have all you can do just taking care of yourself. Let the problems with the boyfriend slide right now. That can be addressed when you are stronger physically and have adjusted to your new sleeve. Focus on yourself and what you need. Then take steps to take care of yourself. Plan your day's meals. Drink as much Water as you can and make sure you get your Protein. Make yourself the first priority!

I have no memory of anything after they gave me the pill! I don't know where they did it. I was one of the lucky ones. I had little to no pain, and even very little discomfort. I am 6 weeks post-op now and can eat anything I want, just not very much of it. I've lost 31 lbs and, besides having low energy every now and then, am just fine and dandy! A definate success story (and I am a real person, not just someone paid to say nice things about Dr. Aceves!).:crying:

I had a spinal with Dr. Aceves. My friend who had hers at the same time had a higher BMI and they were not able to do it with her because they couldn't get the needle in the right place easily. I got the impression that they do a spinal with anyone they can.

Congratulations on having your surgery done! I was like you and didn't have any significant problems. Now at one month out I've lost 26 lbs and am on solid foods again. LIFE IS GOOD!!!