MamaBear

Ladies... two rules - 1. mix WAY more Water in the Protein powder than it says to - 1 scoop 20oz water 2. use crystal lite unjury is gross - really gross... try fruity ones.

Post surgery drama. Disregard and move on... it gets better and the weigh MELTS off. Stay off the scale for a few days and drink your Water and eat right - you will amaze yourself.

There is a new normal coming your way, but the road doesn't have a fully customized map... you kind of have to make your way. I had soooo many Proteins and foods in the house because from hour to hour I didn' t know what I could enjoy or what made me feel gross. The hardest was the time between surgery and actually being allowed to chew food again. I still can't look at greek yogurt with Protein powder.

Even 4 years out when I have a backslide, and when I find my inner strength, I can trust my sleeve. I could have written your post - but I compare it to smoking... you have to get the drug out of your system. Go hard on your protein/water/healthy food only for 4 days and the cravings leave as the crap is out of your system. If I crave carbs at night, I have a cup of tea and my sleeve is so happy for the warm comforting hug on the inside, the cravings go.

Hey Sleevemaster - you are so right!!! I don't think that pre-surgery I could have IMAGINED that I would look at a particular kind of goody and think "Hmmm. that doesn't actually taste good enough for me to invest" Seriously newbies - listen up - you will be able to foster appreciation for high quality flavours. Seriously, I couldn't eat a donut now for any reason. If I am going to have a treat I am careful not to eat things that don't make me feel like "hammered poo" ( my new favourite saying now).

WARNING: Beware evil nitrates folks!! lunch meats are full of processed garbage salt and nitrates. Your body needs super efficient and hight quality food now - you don't have the room for extras so select your food carefully.

We truly become somebody new - even more on the inside than the outside. I love your story.

You know it is ironic really, the most successful sleevers are the ones who are DILIGENT in their food planning. I have become a really good planner, because it is NOT planning that allows our evil little overeater brain to speak. Having a set plan for your food, and the right things in the house will be a huge factor in your success. So go ahead and think about what you are going to have for dinner, shop for fresh healthy ingredients and cook like you are a chef!

Hi Emily, Welcome to the boards. This is the place where you will get help with your journey. This is where it is ok to talk about about every last bit of your health, surgery, worries, emotional state and your successes. I think I can safely say that all of us have emotional issues around food. I know I do. This surgery doesn't fix your head. It gives you a tool, and it gives you hope where sometimes you have none. What you do with it is in your power. Don't have the surgery without doing the mental work around what got you fat in the first place. And read read read.... there isn't a question you can have that hasn't been asked before. The answers that can work for you are on these pages. Good luck.

Not at Walmart. GNC doesn't carry them either. Look on line for a dealer near you.

The trick to the fruit ones is getting the "recipe" right. I don't drink premixed shakes because they are expensive and not the greatest tasting. Try nectar or ISO whey BReezer in the following: 20 oz of Water and ice in a shaker bottle A scoop of Protein (I love the peach ones) 1 pkt of a matching crystal lite flavour. shake and drink. I have had one of those every morning for 4 years.

This isn't a moment in particular, but it is happiness I like to share anyway. I have always had HUGE feet - size 12 and had trouble finding shoes. On top of that I was so obese that my feet hurt all the time. So I spent a lot of time in mens shoes with arch support... talk about a buzz kill that makes you feel dowdy! Now I have a RIDICULOUS number of high heeled shoes. I go on 4 inch wedges just to grocery shop. I wear very slutty shoes with a conservative business suit just because I can. I order them on line from Nordstrom and I don't care if it is excessive... I deserve at least one vice. My husband built me a "shoe church" of shelves in my closet so I can pick which lovely pair of sweeties I will wear to WOW the world. You know the body part will never be perfect after two kids and a huge weight loss, but the shoes make a bg difference in how I feel.

Don't worry hon, you would know if things weren't going well. Some of us get these perfect surgical experiences with zero pain and no complications... that is more the norm, so enjoy it!

I was apparently the first person ever to be released the same day. (My one claim to fame in this world) I had a flawless experience. In at 7am for the surgery - woke up sometime later with the bed spins, they gave me some meds and I was up again and back at my hotel by 3pm that day. The next morning I came back for a quick top up of my fluids in an IV and we drove the three hours home by lunchtime. I never even needed so much as a Tylenol from when I got home. Seriously - I can't imagine an easier thing. I had no complications, and it was faster recovery than my gall bladder 8 years ago. I went back to work after two weeks, but could easily have done it in one because I have a desk job. The only thing was that I needed a nap every afternoon for about 3 months... so that was hard - so tired. I wish my experience on everybody, but I know it isn't always like that for everybody.

Hi Suzie! I am new to this particular board but am a 4 year Veteran and came back because I needed a boost of support to keep the regain under control... You are about to do the best thing you have ever done for yourself. Don't let anybody, not even yourself tell you differently. You are worth this. Here are the top 5 things you need to know: 1. You won't die on the table - the Doctor has as much interest in keeping his malpractice insurance rates down as you do to live 2. Yes you will eat differently the rest of your life - deal with it. I promise it will be normal in 6 months. 3. Whatever made you overeat isn't "cured" with surgery - emotional work continues 4. You will have the best wild ride ever for the first year - focus on the good parts of that 5. Your boobs will deflate. Sorry girlfriend, it is just the reality. The upside is you will be buying AWESOME new undergear that will left the girls back to where they belong. Hang tough and stick around...