southernchic01

I am proud of you! You won't believe how much better you will feel physically and emotionally! Your confidence will come back with a vengeance and you will realize that you can handle anything. I am uber blessed to have a wonderful hubby who has supported me through this whole process and I can't imagine what you are going through. Stay strong! The decision to have this surgery for me has brought back the confident, fun-loving me back into play and I hope it does the same for you!

That is a horrible way to support you in your weightloss! I see from your profile that you are undecided on the surgery. Sometimes you have to do things that are best for you. As women, we sometimes put too much thought into what others think. I hope things get better for you. I really suggest that you talk to him about how those words make you feel.

Drinking from a straw creates air bubbles in your new tummy, wich can cause different things to go on. 1. It can make you feel full, therefore you don't get the nutrients from what food you do eat. 2. It can cause gas pains...and trust me you don't want that 3. The air pockets that it does create can cause discomfort because those air pockets stretch your new stomach pouch. That is just a few of the main reasons. I hope that helps you!

Thanks Butterthebean! I am headed to GNC this afternoon to give these a try. Breakfast is my trouble meal....I just don't want it. Maybe these will help me get that protein in that I am lacking....I sure hope they don't taste like cardboard!

I am unable to eat chicken breast...no matter how I fix it. Every time I try a bite or two, I get spasms and it is not comfortable. However, I have been subsituting boneless, skinless chicken thighs for any recipe I have that calls for chicken breasts.

You seem like you are an amazing person. Putting others before ourselves is a great thing...but sometimes we only end up neglecting ourselves. Maybe you need to reevaluate those in your life. I have read and heard many stories of people who have this weight loss surgery done that certain relationships change or become nonexistant. Stay positive and focus a little on yourself and celebrate the victories! You deserve that!

Thank you Thank you Thank you! This post was exactly what I needed to put things back in perspective. Such a great inspiration. I am 8 weeks out and have lost 30 lbs so far as well as dropped 2 pant sizes (probably more like 3). I have been stuck there for a little over a week and have started to get a little frustrated but I know deep down that these "plateaus" happen (I just feel like I should have lost more by now...but there I go again pushing myself). Reading your post reminds me that I did this for me and my husband and my only regret was that I didn't do it sooner. Sure it hasn't been a total cake walk, but all in all it hasn't been that bad either. I can bend over without having to hold my breath now and tieing my shoes is easier than it has been in years and there is actual distance between the steering wheel and my tummy....good NSV's. I have been wearing clothes I haven't worn since 2008..woohoo!! I am slowly learning that food was not the enemy...I was my own enemy. I now feel I have control and am gaining more and more confidence every day. This was good!

For me it was a breeze! I mean I was sore for the first 3 days, but the more I got up and moved around the better I started feel very quickly. Walk, walk, walk. I started walking about 30 mins a day about 2 weeks before my surgery and that may have helped me some.

Girl...I am right there with you. For 2 weeks, I thought I was doing something wrong. Then I came off the "slop" stage and started eating real food, and the scale started moving again. My favorite thing since I started eating FOOD this week is seasoned tilapia....love, love, love it! Keep up the good work Curvy Girl!

Congratulation! I am so excited for you! Good luck!

I had trouble getting the Bariatric Vitamins down. I don't know what the deal was but I could not tolerate them. You would need to take 4 a day. Here is what I take: Morning: 2 gummy vitamins; 1 sublingual B-12; 1 dissolvable Biotin tablet; 1 chewy Vitamin D with calcium Before Dinner: 2 gummy vitamins; 1 dissolvable Biotin tablet; 1 chewy Vitamin D with calcium I am beginning my 6th week post op and this seems to be working for me. I hope that helps some!

Being scared is a natural response when having surgery...especially and elective surgery. I am 40, my mother was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes when she was about my age, her father had it, her grandmother had it...I wanted to try and stop this thing NOW. Seeing her at 66 with all the problems that she has, scared me more than electing to have this surgery. I researched for over a year before finally making the decision. I was petrified...but the closer I got to completing all the requirements needed for insurance purposes (boy did 6 months fly by)...the more excited I became that I was about to start a whole new chapter in my life. I did it for me mainly and for my husband! I am still young and want to really enjoy life WITHOUT BEING CONSCIENCIOUS ABOUT MY WEIGHT!!!! I am beginning my 6th week post op and have lost 20 lbs....YES....I am still scared I will fail, but for once in my life I WILL NOT let that stand in my way. Stay strong and good luck with your decision. Keep researching...talk with a surgeon...and you will find the answers you seek!

Well....I am 5 1/2 weeks post op....stalled for the last 2 weeks and am really trying not to get discouraged. I am still in what I am calling the "slop" stage - mushy foods and will be so glad to move into soft solids in a couple of weeks. I am in dire need to chew something...LOL! I have been getting all the protein required (60-80 grams daily), 400-600 calories a day, the majority of the water intake (52-70 ozs), and walking everyday (up to 3 miles a day for the last week). I am REALLY trying hard to stay positive so I had my husband hide the scales so I would not weigh myself everyday...LOL! Crazy right? But I guess whatever works. I am sure that this thing in my head is just that...in my head. For so many years, I always stalled at 15-20 lbs and it never seemed to move so I would just give up....and I guess I am still thinking that way. Please tell me these stalls don't last too long and that I will start seeing the weight start to drop some!!! I know....20 lbs is 4 lbs a week and that is awesome! And believe me....I am so proud of that! I guess I am just in need of a cheering squad and a little motivation.

NSV's??? What is that? I am measuring consistently. I feel I am losing inches as my pants are fitting looser and I have dropped a bra size already...that is all good. I am keeping the positive attitude!!!! Thank you!

WOW, Kathy! What in inspiration...90lbs! That is amazing! Thank you for the advise! I can see I made a great decision to joining this group. Y'all are the best! I feel better already!

Your weight loss is great! You must be doing something right. Thanks for the encouragement! I see that most people experience the stall in this stage but I just hope it doesn't last long. I really started walking 2 weeks ago and just pushed myself to walk. I walk about 1 /12 miles on my lunch break. I can get that in about 30 minutes...I guess that is good. And then I walk with my hubby when we get home from work for about 30 minutes....It has not been easy this week, but I'm gonna keep on doing it! I hope you have a great weekend as well!

Good luck, my friend! Try not to think about it too much while you are on pre-op. I was lucky and didn't have to do that...whew! You will do just fine and the 1st will be here before you know it. Keep your head up and you will be well on your way to a new you.

That is where I get mine. I tried EAS and I did NOT like them. My favorite is the Chocolate in the Premire shakes. I think you can also go to the website and order them but it is much easier to go to Sam's and get them. They are $18.88/12 pk. in my hometown.

I have found one that I really like. Premier Nutrition...I buy them and Sam's. They have 30 grams of protein and only 5 carbs. They taste better than any other I have tried. Hope that helps!

Dana: I have been in the same shoes. Our minds play tricks on us sometimes when we read those "horror" stories. My advice....STAY AWAY FROM THEM!!! They do nothing but confuse and distort our perceptions. Talk with your doctor about any complications you are concerned about. That is the best route to go. I am a southern girl (fried chicken, cornbread, beans and taters). There is also a long line of hereditary heart disease and Type II Diabetes that runs in my family. It took me over a year to make the decision to do this and my only regret....is that I didn't do this sooner. I wanted/needed to make this change for me AND my hubby. I am 4 weeks post op today, lost 19 lbs, still have a little soreness and am getting used to some "mushy" foods. I still have 2 weeks before I can have move on to the next phase of eating and my body lets me know the foods that agree with me now and I am sure that will continue. Don't let the negativity you see/read about get the best of you. I am still a newbie, but I know in my heart that this was the best decision I could have made for myself. Life is just beginning and I can't wait to see what is just around the corner. I know you will feel the same way! Keep your head up girl! This IS worth it!

Due to the sugar content, my nutritionist advised not to drink these after surgery.

Holy Crap! And I thought I was the only one! I am beginning my 4th week post op and down 16 lbs. I know...that is good...right? I have thought this very same thing over the last several days. Every time I eat something, I feel like it just don't go down right...wondering if somewhere down the line I have eat too much or if I have a leak when I get heartburn or if that basket of towels I lifted (that barely weighed 3 lbs) was too much...geesh...it's mind boggling what goes through our heads...wondering at what point I am going to break down and put that peice of pizza in the blender...LOL!...and wondering when I am going to sabotage this process. You are not alone in this, girl! I am just glad to know I am not rowing that boat all by myself! It helps to know that!

Congrats! I know you will do well! I am beginning my 4th week post op. Although it is challenging, my only regret is that I did not do this sooner. Good luck to and I can't wait to hear about your success.

I am new to the site and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Holly..I am a 40 yr old cops wife and we have been married 15 years (he is the love of my life by the way)...I love to travel...live in Alabama and am 3 weeks post op. I have struggled with my weight my whole life!! I was into sports when I was in high school but my weight really held me back. I got married young and gained A LOT of weight...then basically starved myself to lose it after I was divorced. Then I found the man of my dreams. You know what they say about a happy marriage...can I tell you that it definitely agreed with me. I gained 55 lbs in a very short time after we got married. My weight, of course, has fluctuated up and down 20lbs over the last 7-10 years. I tried everything..Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Atkins, Diet Pills..you name it and I tried it with no real results. We love to travel...cruises and the beach mostly. I made every excuse in the book to not do something because of my weight....and of course, there have been many excursions I wanted to do but couldn't because there were weight restrictions. I would even make an excuse not to go out with friends or hang out with new people....I was just so self aware and I hated the way I looked. I felt as if I was judged by the way I looked and how much I weighed! Anyway....I made a decision in Dec 2011 to talk to my family doctor. I discussed with him what I was researching and he was in full support and referred me to Dr Todd Foreman in Huntsville, AL. My first visit was Dec 28th and my 6 month journey began Jan 25th. It passed so fast, which really surprised me. My insurance approved me in less than 10 working days! I had my surgery Aug 20th and have dropped 14 lbs....YAY! It is weird to say, but it was a breeze for me. I had no complications, no nausea (thank goodness) and was back at work a week later...of course with restrictions. I have graduated to Phase III (pureed foods) and I seem to be doing ok. I have definitely been getting in the 60-80 grams of protein in a day, mostly through protein drinks, taking my vitamins and am starting a walking regimine. I wish I had done this sooner! But glad I made the step to a better me. My hubby is so supportive and I could not make it through the day to day without him. I am looking forward to a new life and to new life experiences! I hope that this time next year, I will have lost enough weight to go ziplining in Jamaica! LOL!