enigmachik

Yes, I started my TOM the day of surgery and it lasted almost three weeks. Then I had about a week and half off and immediately went into a second cycle which also lasted about three weeks. The third cycle was a little shorter and my fourth cycle was pretty normal. The surgery wreaks havoc on our hormones. Hopefully you'll even out again pretty soon!!

Those early weeks are so challenging in so many different ways. Hang in there, it gets better!!

I'm nearly four months and have only lost 46 lbs. At two months I had only lost about 25 lbs. I know we're losing slower than a lot of others, but consider the fact that so far you are still averaging more than three and a half pounds a week, every week! Slow is not a bad thing. As long as the scale keeps moving in the right direction, we're doing all right!

I have never had a problem with it in the past, but today for the first time I am having issues, says the site is down for maintenance. I've never seen that message on MFP before so hopefully it's a quick fix and an infrequent issue.

I've had some on two occasions (I’m not quite four months out) and I didn't really have any issues with it, but I had to drink it very slowly and frankly it just wasn't the same. It's kind of lost its appeal to me now.

The EAS brand is the only ready made protein drink that I've tried that doesn't make me want to gag. It's fairly inexpensive and easy to find too at walmart, target, walgreens, cvs etc..

A lot of people don't really feel any restriction until they get on solid foods. I'm sure it will come

I've heard that a leak can occur at any time, even years down the road, but it's extremely unlikely after the first six weeks. There is a girl on here whose leak wasn't diagnosed until she was about three months post op so getting beyond the six weeks isn't a guarantee, but your chances are significantly less beyond that point.

I was pretty paranoid for the first eight weeks or so. I imagined every pinch or pull to be the sign of a leak. For the most part I kept these fears to myself, so they weren't that consuming, but they were on my mind. After I got beyond that first six weeks I was thinking about it significantly less, and after eight weeks hardly at all. I think it's pretty normal in the early weeks since that is when the chance of a leak is greatest.

I ate a cadbury creme egg. Nothing but processed sugar. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I remember enjoying them.

I noticed this too. I actually had a habit of staying off my feet as much as possible since they hurt so bad after just a few minutes on them. Of course the more you sit, the less calories you burn so it was self-defeating behavior. Now that I'm dropping the weight, I find I can stand for a MUCH longer period of time before my feet start to bother me. I'm trying to train myself to stand and walk around in everyday circumstances where I used to sit.

I don't recommend you switch to Centrum. They have an amazing marketing department so many people think they are great Vitamins, but the truth is all the studies on Vitamin absorption have shown that Centrum vitamins are among the very worst for absorption. They essentially go out the same way they went in - the body receives little to no benefit from them.

hahaha. love them!! wearing your skinny friend's clothes - priceless!

I also want to get into the normal weight range category. It can be the very highest allowable weight in normal range...I just want to get there! I have no idea what it's like not to be overweight or obese. Honestly, I've been obese so long that I barely remember what it's like to just be overweight! I don't know how realistic it is, I just really really really want to find out what "normal" is.

OMG, I think you just made my week.

I'm not quite four months out and stopped taking my PPI at three months. I do still get heartburn on occasion, but it isn't nearly as bad as when I was first sleeved. Now I just take an over the counter med when I need it - which is occurring less and less frequently.

Those first few weeks are tough!! I promise you it gets better and you'll be loving your sleeve in no time. It may take a couple of months before you really start feeling normal again, but until then every day will be a little easier than the day before. As far as the meatballs go, you probably didn't do any harm. If you tolerated them fine it's highly unlikely that you did any kind of permanent damage. That being said, don't take any chances. Follow your surgeon's recommendations as closely as you can. You don't want to risk a leak this early out. Just hold on a little longer, you'll be feeling more comfortable and confident in no time!

I double dog dare ya :tongue2:

I may always be a fattie (at least at heart). This made me want to immediately find and try Power Crunch. lol

First, congratulations. You look awesome!!! Second, you've averaged FIVE pounds a week! Please do not say you aren't losing fast enough. It's insulting to people who are losing MUCH slower than that.

woohoo!!

So I'm scheduled to be sleeved on Friday. And judging by the signs my body is giving me, it looks like I'm going to be on my period during the surgery. Yuck! I'm really freaked out about this. I'm sleeving in Mexico so the plane tickets are bought and the procedure is all paid for already and can't be refunded so rescheduling is not an option. What do I do?

I was on my computer the day after my surgery.

Most of the time when they test for nicotine, they get the results on a scale of zero to six. A person testing zero on the scale would be someone who has absolutely no nicotine in their system. It shows that not only do they not smoke, but they also aren't exposed to any second hand smoke. A person testing at a level one would be a non-smoker who has occasional contact with smokers. A person testing at a level two or three is usually a non-smoker who lives with a smoker. A person testing at a level four is usually a light smoker. A level five is a regular smoker and a level six is a heavy smoker. When they test this way, most of the time anyone who receives a three or lower will be considered to have passed the test. A smoker who has not smoked at all for a couple of weeks can usually get a three on the test and therefore would pass. The longer you go, the lower your number will be. It takes a couple of months to test at a level zero, but again you are usually considered to have passed at three or lower. I hope that helps!

Everyone feels that way right before surgery. I would be concerned if you didn't at least have a little trepidation, it is a major surgery after all. That being said, VSG has a very low complication risk. You will get through the surgery just fine and you will be soo glad you did! Good luck, your new life awaits!!!