Joni

Randi - I'm with you! I haven't been the strictest either. I indulge in carbs at times and other things that others would not do, but that's me and I'm still determined to get to goal. It's so very true we are all on this journey together, but we follow our own paths to get there. I just love the support here!

I might win the slowest loser award, but I am still gonna get there!!! Sleeved 4/23. Starting with high weight 213 and now weigh 177. 36 pounds so far with goal of 140. Halfway and 1 pound there.....

Wishing you the best Naomi! Let us know how you are doing asap.

Sleeved 4/23 - preop wt. 213. Now 177 = 36 lbs.

That is fantastic Janet! Congratulations!!

Kellie that ordeal in the nail salon sounds like a true nightmare! So sorry you had to go through that. As for the animal care, I wonder if you can give your boys some extra incentive to help while you're out of commission? I'm sure they know how important their care is to you and letting them know you need to trust them on this and that dad will check up on them, and knowing you will give them an extra "reward" for following through just might do the trick?? Just tryin' to think of possible ideas.... Good luck to you!

I agree - you post it loud and clear girl!! Be proud and let it show!!!

Naomi - good luck with the surgery - I'm sure it'll go just fine and you'll feel so much better with those stones outta there!! Let us know how you're doing asap! Hugs to you. Kellie I hope you're doing okay too.

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about the problems you guys are having! I guess gallstones/galbladder issues are common with the sleeve. I was put on Actigall twice a day to prevent gallstones - and they told me I'll need to take it for 6 months. I'm glad I've been doing it now. My weight loss is still slow, but I'm getting there. It amazes me that the junk food I sometimes eat goes down so easy while the protein, etc., can sometimes be difficult. Too bad it's not the other way around - oh well. I am still learning how to eat well and do what's good for me. Glad we are still checking in here!

For me, I do think menopause has had an effect on my weight loss and how it's not coming off anywhere near what used to happen years ago. I also believe exercise is going to play a major role in helping to speed up my slowed metabolism. It's all good though, at first I was freaking out weighing the same thing for 3 weeks, or losing 2 pounds and then gaining 1. I have changed my thinking and just want to eat healthy for the majority of the time, get that protein and water in, burn calories with exercise, and the rest will take care of itself in its own good time!

Kellie did you have that hernia when you had sleeve surgery? I had a big one that was repaired. Good luck and keep us posted. I too like to choose healthy Snacks, BUT, I find I am craving carbs often and junk food too so it is a struggle for me. notime do you remember the song from american idol - pants on the ground? Too funny! Happy Birthday Sheila - you ARE an inspiration!

I agree about not stocking up either. I had really liked Nectar protein (which has a ton of flavors), but now the only one I can still tolerate is Unjury. You can get a one-time sample set of Nectar protein in different flavors for 14.00 and FREE shipping. www.si03.com/reg_index.htm It is the Nectar Variety Sampler. There is an 800 number to call and order. I did it after someone on the forum posted it. No strings and you get to try all the flavors. It is 100% whey protein. Doing that allowed me to know what I wanted to order instead of having to first order a huge tub.

Too all the newcomers here - welcome! it's great to have you here! Shelley - I have not tried the Isopure as so many people call them isopuke...lol. And I have also heard that you'll tolerate them better if you don't smell them (that's a little scary) - don't know what Katie thinks about that..... Anyway, my 2 cents' worth on them is that I have seen them on line and on Amazon for something like 40 dollars. But I know Meijer sells them in the Protein section for about $11 for a 4 pack. Might want to try there. Kat - Power Crunch bars are hard to find in stores. Some health food stores carry them. And yes, my area trader joe's carries a few flavors (1.19). You can get them on Amazon, and different on line sites also carry them. They are 200 calories and the Peanut Butter fudge has 12 gm of fat but only 5 sugar. I like them so much because they have wafers and are very light, making it easier to eat one without becoming too full. I have tried about 4 flavors and liked them all. Katie - thanks for the tips on Atkins bars, I will try some of those. Years ago when I did Atkins, I got really turned off of the peanut butter, but they have come a long way since then.

Katie - I LOVE those power crunch bars!!!

Shelley you will soon be on the loser's bench!! Good luck. vhoke - the medicine cup is a great idea. You literally have to have your water/fluids next to you at all times. Take tiny sips and do it all day long. I was able to meet those requirements from the very beginning doing it like that. And if I wasn't drinking water or broth, it was a protein drink - which was 3 times a day. Sometimes when I would take a sip that was too big, I would swallow just a little and hold the rest in my mouth for a little bit until I could swallow again.

Everyone is doing so great which is wonderful!! I, on the other hand, am a little different. I have lost a total of 30 pounds since sleeve on 4/23. I was down more than that, but gained 3 pounds last week. I am mostly to blame as I have made poor food choices and am not exercising, but geez I am still eating so much less than before. I did join the local health club and will start going this coming week. I am hoping that is going to give me the kick in the butt that I need. I've got to get on the right track again. The sleeve is a tool not the miracle answer.

Hey Sheila, I was curious about the philipino pansit you mentioned, so I googled it. Wow, did that bring back memories. When I was about 18, I worked with a philipino woman who made this cold salad with cellophane noodles for potlucks. I loved it so that I still remember it, but never had a recipe. You mentioning that got me into all kinds of recipes, and I'm going to try to recreate what I still remember. So thanks! I joined the neighborhood health club today. Now I just have to make myself use it!! Really want to firm up and get fit while I lose the weight. I haven't been doing any exercise at all but walking once in awhile. Gotta get movin' more!! I also had my first bottle of diet pepsi since before preop! It was great!!! I don't want to become a slave to it again, but I would like to enjoy it in moderation. Hugs to all!

Hi all - Kat good to hear from you. I don't think you need to worry about damaging your sleeve. It will stop you way before you have a chance to hurt it. Just follow your diet plan and you'll be fine. Work on getting your protein and fluids in and you are going to heal and be strong! Well Monday will be 10 wks postop for me, and I have barely done any exercise. Today, I went to the local health club and joined!!! I have to wait for dr clearance, and then will go for my fitness assessment and workout plan. Then I just have to make myself go! Really want to firm up as I lose, so I hope that will be enough incentive. Another thing I did was have my first diet pepsi since before preop diet. I really enjoyed it! I don't want to become a maniac with it again, but it will be nice to have a choice and enjoy it in moderation.

Congrats on your wt loss and your new dress! I too have been watching the news regarding Colorado and also can't wrap my mind around how large that is. And the people who were told you have 5 minutes to pack and get out..how heartbreaking. I don't understand why a solution hasn't been found in 2012 to put an end to these devastating fires. Are you anywhere near them?

Wow lots of new people! That's great and welcome everyone pre and postop! I was sleeved 4/23 and very happy I did it. I think it's great that there are so many of us 50s out here!!! Kat - I thought that was a great idea to let your surgeon know what happened, and then to hear you did that and haven't heard a word is SHOCKING and unbelievable to me. I hope you check out that complications forum too to find someone who had a similar situation. I know that you are a warm, caring, and sweet person. I hate it that you feel like giving up, and pray that you stay strong and work through this. You know that we are here for you every step of the way, so please keep your chin up and put that smile back on your face. Stay right here with us and we'll get through this together okay?

For sure, I can eat quite a bit more than a month ago as well. I hear it's because the swelling has gone down in the stomach. Makes sense I suppose. What really gets me is that I have a larger capacity for foods which are not the greatest for me. Crackers, etc., but not really protein sources.

Hi Katie - Glad you found us! I do agree, this is a great group of people. Welcome and look forward to getting to know you too.

Hi! I too have had slloooww weight loss. I have also noticed that I am able to eat a whole lot more in the second month postop than the first. I've been told that could be because all swelling went down and I now have more room. Supposed to go for postop check tomorrow but not going because it's at 8a. Just much too early for me, especially after the day I had today..... anyhow, all is well here. Hope others check in too.

Hi Kat - Been thinking about you every day. Do you know how much longer you have to have daily dressing and packing changes? Can you tell if they are healing well? I sure hope so. What an ordeal you've been through kiddo. The sooner it's just a bad memory, the better eh?? Hang in there....

Don't freak out if you gain weight while in hospital. I brought home an extra 10 lbs! And then found out most people do. It came off the first week, but still, if you're not prepared it can freak you out. Also, I loved my heating pad in the hospital and after. It felt so good on my tummy, very soothing. Good luck.