new_beginnings_

There was no way that I was taking mine out (if I could help it), I just had them done back in December so I knew that if I took them out, they would prolly grow up. It was ok though, I put acrylic jewelry in and told all the nurses that I had them so there wouldn't be any problems. Most of them told me that they see them all the time, so it was nothing new to them. I was told to put bandaids over them so if they pulled anything over my chest during surgery, they wouldnt get caught. So it all worked out, but let me just say, those bandaids hurt like hell coming off.

First and foremost, Congradulations on the 100 pounds lost! You are such an inspiration to me! You have gotten alot of good advice in this post but let me just say, don't let anyone steal your joy! You have worked damn hard to get where you're at and I think that meal looked great personally. Just keep doing what you're doing and don't pay attention to the 'haters' because they are everywhere, big or small... Keep up the good work! :grouphug:

And there lies the paradox, If you don't get strict, you won't lose the weight; but if you don't lose any weight, you aren't motivated to make the right choices. Kinda like the chicken and the egg. Which came first? Believe me, I know what you are going through... you have to make a commitment to yourself to make good choices and exercise even if you don't see the scale move right away. Maybe put the scale away for a bit so that you aren't so focused on the numbers... If you keep doing the right things, the scale WILL move...

First off, let me just say CONGRADULATIONS! My revision has been the best thing I have ever done for myself and you will feel the same way after you get through the first couple days. As for your questions: 1) Did anyone come home with a drain? I had one on my stomach side that was removed this morning. Had a fatty tumor (lypoma) removed Tuesday, too. It ended up being quite an ordeal and I still have a tube in it. I knew it was big, but it ended up the size of a small loaf of bread and was sending fingers down to the major muscles! Wow! Wow! Sorry, I can't help you with this cause I did not have a drain... 2) When did you guys start drinking shakes? It was several days before I could stomach a Protein shake, for some reason, they all tasted and smelled disgusting to me, just focus on staying hydrated and you will know when you are ready for protein. 3) On returning home did you go straight to 60 grams of protein per day? No, it was several days before I could really get any protein in and I don't think it was any where near 60 grams, don't stress about the protein your first week. After that, you will probably feel good enough to start incorporating it into your diet. 4) All suggestions are welcome! Just try and stay positive through this first week... I know I had the 'WTF did I do to myself?' moment several times, but everyday will get easier and you will be able to eat a little more. You can do this! Good luck and best wishes! :hug:

Hi, I have seen some of your other posts so I know that you have been struggling... I know you don't want to diet, but for me, I have to, in order to be successful... If I don't know the fat and calorie content, I look it up so I know whether it's worth it to eat it, basically I just try to watch what I'm eating because I know if I graze or snack alot, it all adds up... I'm probably eating between 600- 800 calories a day but maybe a little more some days. I don't go crazy trying to count carbs or calories but I do try and keep up with my protein so that I make sure I'm getting enough. I have been working out fairly hard (at least 45 mins of cardio and some weight traning) so I know that really helps my weight loss. I'm sorry that you are not getting the results you wanted and I know how frustrating it is, I was a bander also and I went through it with my band. Don't get discouraged, I know you can do this! Try to get back to basics and you will see the weight come off... best wishes!

Wow... I'm sorry you had such a horrible surgery experience but it's all downhill from here... I'm glad you are feeling much better and hopefully you will continue to heal without any more problems.... Welcome to the losers bench! :cheer2:

Yeah I really needed to vent the other day and thanks to all the responses, I know i'm not alone in this. I hear that all this weight loss can make you extra emotional so I've been struggling with my mood lately. You know how it is sometimes, you can fly off the handle over something stupid. I just keep thinking how great i'm gonna look so i'm trying not to let the junk get to me. It's what got me here in the first place...

You look great! Keep it up! Before you know it that next 100 will be gone!

Oh yeah I've been hearing that one too from my husband and the parents... I mean geez, can I get myself together before I try to conceive a human life in this train wreck I call a body... I know throwing all of the junk away would be mean and wasteful so I would never do that but I can dream can't I?

Yeah I know how 'lively' our conversations can get sometimes too. I think he was just being selfish so I just need to get myself together and not give in to the junk. Thanks for the encouragement! It means alot! I'm not saying that I am perfect because I have and quite a few 'tastes' since my surgery but I think that he could be a little more sensitive to the fact that I am struggling with all these sweets in the house. There are a lot of things that I have sacrificed over the years including my health so i'm sorry if I seem like I am being insensitive about his junk food. I am working on my will power so hopefully it wont be an issue for long, also I get the 'dumping' if i eat something too sweet, so that helps as well. I've got mine eating baked fish and brown rice tonight, yeah I know, he's doing good so I will give credit where credit is due... I know what you mean about the chocolate... that is my biggest weakness...

Yeah the problem is, I pretty much like ALL the junk he likes... I guess that is the root of my weight problems... It's really hard not to give in to the cravings when it's placed right in front of my face... I'm doing good though, I can't say that I am perfect but I am trying really hard not to give in to the temptations. Glad to know I'm not the only one... That's awesome! I was off sodas from my band surgery but after I gave up on my band, I had started back drinking them. I have gotten back to the habit of not drinking any soda since my pre op diet but I know how addictive they are. The sodas don't bother me as much as the sweets, thank God because my husband is always drinking soda.

You are so right and I am working on it but as you know, people don't change overnight. Thank God for my sleeve because otherwise, I would be pigging out right about now. :rofl: That's awesome that you guys are doing it together, my husband doesn't have a weight problem so I don't think he realizes the battle that I have been through with my weight. Also, it's nice to see locals on here... as far as I can tell, the sleeve is not real popular in Birmingham yet. I was banded with Dr. Miles about two and a half years ago and I was miserable the whole time. I'm just happy I was able to revise and I have felt wonderful ever since. What area do you live in? I live in the Clay area. I love the fact that your whole family is with you on this, I wish my husband would get with it because I'm afraid that down the road, his eating will catch up with him too...

I was sleeved on April 6 so I am just now starting to get back to being able to eat regular foods again, so I guess the point is that I physically can't eat pizza or hot dogs and yet he still asks if I want some... He doesn't seem vindictive so I don't think he is tring to be a complete ass but it is definately coming off that way. He has always liked junk food and fast food so no this is nothing new but like I said, I already asked him not to bring that stuff into the house and yet here we are with pizza, bite size brownies, key lime pound cake, and snickers sitting in my kitchen.

The crazy part about it is that he has been very supportive of me through out my whole journey, starting with the band. I'm starting to wonder if he is just being really selfish or if it is some kind of subconscious effort to sabotage me...

Crosswind, thank you for this post and I really admire your courage to put your pain out here for all to see. Even though I don't comment on most of your posts, I read them and they inspire me and make me laugh and I wanted to thank you for that. Hopefully this surgery will help us all sort through and recognize the emotional and physical bullshit that is keeping us fat and miserable. :hug:

WOW! You look great! :Banane01: :Banane02: :Banane03:

I totally agree with you, I am so amazed at how little I eat now, instead of looking for the biggest serving, i'm looking for the smallest... I'm so LOVING my sleeve! :dance:

So happy and excited for you! Hope you have an easy recovery! Good Luck! :hug:

I hope everything comes out ok! Sending prayers and best wishes ur way!

WOW! Awesome transformation! Congradulations! Love the boxer too! I have one that looks very similar.

I caught the reruns of this show this morning and can I just say that I was crying my eyes out because I can see parts of myself in some of those people. I kinda had a moment of awakening because while I know I have a problem with food, I never really thought about it in terms of an addiction. I have never went to the extreme like some of the people on there, and yet I still know that I have issues with food and I will definately be watching the rest of the season. If you haven't seen it yet, you need to check it out... very moving...

WOW! U look AWESOME! Keep up the good work!

Congradulations! Hope all continues to go well for you!