Disney

Congrats! Glad you are here!

I didn't have a 3 week stall, but I did have a stall at around 7 weeks. Then the weight just started dropping off again. That's why it is a good idea to not weigh every day. I know it seems impossible (it does to me) but if you could only weigh every 2 weeks, you would have a great big loss and you would never even notice that little stall in there. In other words, even if you don't lose for a while, it WILL come off in the end, so it all evens out eventually. It's nice to see those numbers go down, but when they don't, it sucks. So, weighing less often can only give you GOOD news!

Thanks for being such an inspiration to all of us, as always. I hope you are feeling better after looking at those pics of yourself. You deserve to feel good about what you have already accomplished, that's for sure!

Well done! Thanks for sharing the pics with us!

Some Drs say when incisions heal, others say 3-4 months, and I think the difference is because swimming uses LOTS of muscles, especially in the abdomen. Probably would depend if you were just gonna play around in a pool or do some serious laps. I would say follow your own Dr's advice.

It is very hard, but I totally agree with what Meggie said, things are amplified right now and you always (at least I do) consider the worst possible scenario when something major is about to happen. Like this surgery. It is completely normal and the only thing I can add to what others have said is, just try and keep yourself busy and focus on as many other things as you can. Watch a movie on your laptop, listen to some music on your ipod, just keep busy. I will tell you this, I noticed you are going to Dr. Aceves, well you will be at ease as soon as you meet him and Dr. Campos. I felt so comfortable during/after the "talk" he gives right before surgery. As soon as he was done, all my worries just went away and the next thing I knew, I was waking up and I was on the glorious other side of my life. My new life. One that will be better, not only for me, but for my little girl and DH, too. I won't event tell you to relax. That's just a word, but keep busy till you get there and then just listen to Dr. A and everything will fall into place. Just look at all of us who have been in the very room you will probably stay in at the hospital. Accidents can and do happen, but hey, look at the Good Dr.'s track record, it speaks for itself. Hang in there. BTW, go ahead and write the letters, it might help you feel more comfortable about going ahead with the surgery. When you get back home, just tear them up. Done.

You have done an amazing job! Congrats on the new 'style', too!

I read that wrong, Crosswind. I thought you ate a 65 gram protein cookie. I was about to order me a lifetime supply

How precious! You look so happy with her. Glad things worked out for you

I have the unjury unlflavored, also and like Kelly said, Yuck. But I also did not like the chicken soup flavored one either. They both had such a strong, strong typical Protein powder smell and taste that I could not do it. I will be interested in the responses here, as I would love to find one that is truly tasteless. I don't have high hopes, though

Yes, go to the hospital. I hope you are already there. Vomiting blood is never ok.

This reminds me of that trick about putting all the ingredients for an omelette into a plastic zip lock bag and boiling it. It comes out just right! The microwave idea seems much easier and less messy

Haha....those Proteins drinks actually WOULD kill him!! YUCK! Don't leave one sitting around the house

Put that scale in a cabinet or in your garage or somewhere that you won't step on it every day. It will make you crazy. Once a week is plenty. Longer than that is even better. I can't go more than a week though. Sometimes I don't even make it that long, but checking your weight every day is such a roller coaster. Keep up the good work and you WILL certainly lose, there is no doubt.

Same with me, I was there with one from this board, and there was another lady I met there from Canada and we keep in touch, still. You will find there is plenty of time for "visiting" while you are recovering. Have fun and good luck to you

The weight gain after surgery is usually just from your IV fluids. This will correct itself.

Stevia might be your friend but that does not mean everyone likes it or can even tolerate it. Preparing for surgery ahead of time has nothing to do with it. I have never been able to eat or drink artificial sweeteners or the new "natural" sweeteners like stevia (which has the exact same disgusting aftertaste) in my life, so researching and/or "life changes" weren't going to change that fact. Everyone is different. This is not a one size fits all lifestyle.

WOW! That is exciting! I can't wait to hear how everything goes and I know Dr. A and Dr. Campos are going to be happy to see you, too! Be sure to tell them how much their patients love them Good luck to you and update when you feel like it

Way to go, Papi! Looking like the cover of GQ....

I voted Vicki! I hope you win. I love your video.

AMEN, it is crack. Except my drug of choice was regular coke. Been drinking it since I was a toddler and had to stop cold turkey for this surgery and haven't had one since. I have never like coffee, I used coke to wake me up for the day. Never drank anything else. Sadly, no Water or anything. I don't want to get back on it EVER and hope I never take a sip and can tolerate it.

That is great! Keep up the good work. You are flyin' now!

Melissa, what are you finding that you can drink? Are you able to drink Water again? Just looking for some ideas. I have been diluting my lemonade so it won't be sooo sweet. But that gets boring after a while.

Well, I can only speak from my own experience so here goes: I have eaten/drunk full sugar products from day one. I'm not saying it's the best way to go, who knows? But it's the only way I could go. I cannot tolerate any artificial sweeteners whatsoever. I have tried. Just can't do it. So, I have found myself also looking for things to drink even at 9 weeks out. I don't WANT to drink all that sugar (in my gatorade, lemonade, tea, what have you) but I can't drink plain Water yet. It turns my tummy While my weight loss might not be as super fast as others, I have lost 33 pounds since sugery and 43 pounds since pre-op diet, which I don't think is too shabby It actually could be much more if I would get my fluids in like I should, oh and if I would get all my Protein in (I really try, but I can't drink the shakes so it has to come from food). Oh yeah, and if I would just exercise. I'm gonna get right on all those shortcomings very soon. I am just now getting some energy back. Just want to add that eating/drinking the sugar has not given me cravings one time. I have heard that it can ( but so can artificial ones) so just be aware of that! Good luck with your diet. I know you will do great

That's fantastic!! Now you just have to go out and find yourself some NEW goal pants