breezy

Thanks for posting, Longhorn! It's great to hear how good you are doing. I love my sleeve, too, and am looking forward to moving to the "just overweight" category, too! Keep rockin' it!

I love the way you have described how you feel! I can identify with so much of it, though I don't know if I could have expressed it so well. My high weight was 260 and I am 5'7", so we started from a similar place. I remember how good my first full liquid drink tasted! I tried mashed potatoes in the mushy stage (from KFC because I was traveling) and they were HEAVEN!!! LOL. I feel the urge to tell you not to get down if your energy still fluctuates. You are still in the early post-op stages. Thanks again for posting! I love hearing the "high" feelings associated with the successes of this journey! I feel them too!

I know what you mean, Lisa Lu. I have done as much reading as I can on this forum since my surgery. It has helped me know what to expect and given me ideas and solutions to common problems. We have good people here. It's nice to share this journey with those who are going or have gone through it. I find myself telling my husband things that I have read now and then and realize how much I have gained from being a part of this community. Thank you ALL!!!

Hey April Sleevers! I wondered how everyone was doing?

I'm sorry I don't have any advice because I didn't feel much hunger at any stage so far. I just wanted to acknowledge you and hope that you get some good answers from others here. Being hungry is not fun.

Tiffy has posted some things about her journey that might interest you. She is currently underweight but feels like her body likes where she is. She eats more times during the day and has increased her carbs and calories to keep from losing more. I DREAM about the day when I'll have to eat a piece of cake to keep from losing weight!!!!!

No Silly Vests? No Southern Ventures? No Sullied Virgins? I like that last one!:thumbup: Kidding aside....Congratulations on your loss! (Now that sounds wierd, too, doesn't it?)

It's so cool that we have members from around the world!!!! I'm glad you found us! I'm wishing you a uneventful surgery and quick recovery!

Congratulations on your decision to make a lasting change in your life for the better! Keep us posted on your journey!

Congratulations & welcome to the "losers' bench!" I'm glad you're surgery was uneventful!

I had a problem with that about a week post-op, too. I started adding Benefiber to my protein drinks and kept trying to drink as much water as I could. I have diverticulosis and I need to keep things moving easily. Now that I am on solids, I continue the benefiber but have added salads, which I'm sure help.

Yeah, I had some difficult energy slumps in the first 8 weeks. I am over 3 mos now and my energy is coming back better than I've felt in YEARS. Be patient and listen to your body.

That is so cool! Congratulations! I don't know if I've EVER fit into a size 8 in my adult life! I can't even imagine how wide your grin must be!

I didn't have any difficult issues with my surgery. I just wish I could have had this surgery 30 years ago!

Not to get off subject here, but I loved the description of your Italian trip, so I looked at your pictures. WOW! You are a stone cold FOX!!! I love the red hair! Beautiful!!!:thumbup:

1. I'm a smoker, have been for 30 years. I wasn't asked to quit by my doctor, though of course, he said it would be better for my health if I did. I didn't have any surgery complications because of my smoking. I am a quick healer, despite the smoking, and my incisions healed fast. Like Tiffy, I want to quit and plan to try again after I get a handle on the lifestyle change the sleeve has initiated. 2. I already knew I had sleep apnea and use a cpap machine. My doctor only did a blood test on me. I am pretty healthy, despite the smoking, and a self-pay, so I didn't have to do anything else. 3. I only had a drain tube for a couple of days. It didn't hurt when they pulled it out, just wierd feeling. It didn't bother me much. 4. Do they catheterize you during surgery? No. 5. hair Loss. I'm at a little over 3 mos out and I haven't loss any hair that I've noticed. My hair was thin to begin with so I think I would have noticed. Knock on wood. Tiffy's list of questions to ask is a good one. I had back problems, too, but managed them pre-op with stretches. Now, after losing over 40 lbs, my back feels much better. As I exercise, I am getting stronger and stronger. I can play with my grandchildren much better now. I know it will only get better.

I absolutely hated the clear liquid protein I had in the 1st phase. I went to a whey protein in milk after that and didn't mind it at all. I still use it now to make my protein count. Sorry I don't have any good suggestions, but I understand how hard it is to drink something that makes you want to gag!

I was the support crowd for my daughter. I just went with her to everything, stayed by her side, got her anything she needed, tried to make her laugh & let her know I thought she was doing something wonderful for herself. (That was pre-op & right after surgery). I wanted to have her stay with me for a couple of days afterward, but she thought she didn't need anymore help. Getting educated on the process is a good step, and joining this forum is a step-above! Ask any questions that come to mind as you and your mom go through the journey. Someone here is likely to have a similar situation!

:lol0::thumbup::lol4::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: That killed me!

I can sure understand being obsessed with it! I wish I had been able to get this surgery in my 20's! It is true that since you are aware of the obsession, you are not as far gone as you think. I hope you are able to get the surgery and work on getting healthier! It is not a cure-all for problems in life, by any means, but when we take care of ourselves many good things can happen!

I feel so bad for you. I don't have anything constructive to add or advice to give, I just wanted you to know I "hear" you. Sending healing thoughts...

I'm sending good thoughts, too! Write when you can.

I am concerned about my flabby arms, too, so will watch to see what suggestions you get!

I've been afraid to drink a pepsi (which is really the only soda I drank post-op and that wasn't very often). I tried a sip and the carbonation felt wierd. I'm sure I'll get to the point where Tiffy is and not worry about it. But I feel like others that I'm still worried about getting enough good fluids. I don't like diet pops either and I don't want the sugar in a pepsi right now. So I'll wait on pops until I'm able to drink water more normally.

I drink 1% in my morning protein shake. I got used to it years ago. I could use the skim in the shake, but I also like milk in my morning coffee and skim just doesn't cut it there -- I might as well be adding water. I don't drink milk other than that. I feel like 1% is a happy medium between 2% and skim, so I'm good with that.