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Everything posted by abetterme4.2
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Getting my first flat tummy in......EVER!
abetterme4.2 replied to TheRealMeIsHere!'s topic in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Wow!! Thanks for posting the pics! You look amazing and I am sure it will only get better. Thanks again and wishing you a speedy and effortless recovery. -
My random thought: I am overwhelmed when it comes to shopping. It took me 4 hours and 20 mins to buy a single pair of jeans this morning. Im sure it will happen once i get the hang of it, but i really thought i would enjoy shopping. There are plenty of choices and 'cuts' to choose from. Aargh.
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What do YOU do to break through a stall or plateau?
abetterme4.2 replied to livvsmum's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I hit the basics. I may go low on calories and carbs for a couple of days and then right back to "regular" (for sleevers) eating. broth based Soups, high Protein meals/shakes. -
Soft food stage. When you go out to dinner, what do you get?
abetterme4.2 replied to Crissigus's topic in Food and Nutrition
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Fitbit vs Bodybugg vs Bodymedia vs Jawbone Up
abetterme4.2 replied to ToniRenae's topic in Fitness & Exercise
I have several if these gadgets. Fitbit. LOVE. I use it every single day since I purchased. I can put it in my pocket, attach to undergarments, etc. ease of use is amazing. Syncing I have never had a problem with, through the app, plugging in to laptop, none at all. Accuracy is spot on. Battery life is well over 2 weeks. Bodybugg. Liked it. Still have. Don't want to pay a monthly fee. Don't like wearing the band on my arm. Problems syncing with app, help(less) desk is a chore and not very knowledgeable associates. Too many questions with on my arm. Nike fuelband. Still have. Used a couple of times. Back in box. I am a hairstylist so having to take it off and on because its not Water resistant is annoying. Accurate. (Steps) Also use Polar FT60 HR Monitor when working out to get actual calories used during crossfit or weight training or cycling. Hope this helps. -
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Until you take a Tylenol. That sounds funny or sarcastic, but Mine did not go away. I stayed hydrated and then finally purchased coffee Protein and it helped. It's the fewer carbs/less caffeine that kicks it in. Hope this helps. And just know this...it's worth it and it is definitely easier after day 3.
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I can't stand the flipping perfume. Who the hell does that? Or, just all of them wear the same stinky fragrance so they don't have a hundred different b.s. smells.
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Sent you a request
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5 day postop having trouble
abetterme4.2 replied to srboyd86's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Sorry to hear you are having trouble. Initially, you may have to try several until your new tummy finds one it can tolerate. Eas carb control are light and easy and ready to drink. Try buying individuals of different brands and flavors until you find one that suits you. The ready to drink are a little thinner and easier to tolerate. Unfortunately, my tummy could only tolerate the "the finer things" and I had to go with spending a little more for better quality. It definitely did not like soy based, but each tummy is different. Good luck!! -
I remember several months ago when I was contemplating surgery. I came across your post you had posted at 1 year. It 'stuck' with me because, at that time, it was one of the first success stories I had read ( for 1+ years). You've done amazing and look fabulous. I love your outlook and attitude. Continue to "rock your sleeve" and enjoy your happiness.
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Hi there Are you having liquid before this? Within 30 mins? (No?) i would try eating 1/2 of that, waiting for a few mins, and then try another bite. Sometimes we are over-thinking what we can eat. I honestly could not eat but a couple of bites and was DONE. One bite more than that and everything came back up. Many of us sleevers can tolerate quite a bit more liquid than we can solids. Hope this helps.
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Mush it up and it on puréed stage. But....I'm gonna sit back with my Protein shake and watch from afar....
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I finally did it and you know what ..
abetterme4.2 replied to LonghornNiner's topic in Rants & Raves
Awesome job!! I am so glad you did something, rather than choose to do nothing. You sound like you you are in a much better place with your decision!! Well done. -
Help--Work Lunch at Chinese Restaurant!
abetterme4.2 replied to Alajane's topic in Post-op Diets and Questions
I would definitely start with the soup. It fills me up. Then chicken. They usually have chicken skewers or teriyaki chicken that has minimal ingredients with minimal processing. -
January sleevers......what's your weight loss so far?
abetterme4.2 replied to pottergirl's topic in Gastric Sleeve Surgery Forums
Sleeved 1/11/2013. Down 102.4 pounds as of last Friday. Best wishes everyone! -
MyFitnessPal.com Members
abetterme4.2 replied to Wisteria75's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Abetterme42 Feel free to add me. I log every day and keep an open food diary. I love different ideas. -
protein bars with only 2.5 net carbs & ZERO sugar
abetterme4.2 replied to KristieAtkinson's topic in Food and Nutrition
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8 month Post Op Photo Shoot
abetterme4.2 replied to bigcountryab's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
You've done phenomenal. Great job! -
Before and after 11 months !
abetterme4.2 replied to mjrevel's topic in Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story
You look stunning! Congratulations on your success! -
My Sleeve experience in Mexico :)
abetterme4.2 posted a topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
I am going to give a very detailed experience. It was the one thing I would search for and want to read when I began my search for my options of going to Mexico for my surgery. I am not going to give details of my surgeon, as we have all researched (or will) our Dr.'s and make the decision best for ourselves. I have only seen a couple of posts concerning who he is on these forums, and they were VERY vague and people having questions, no information. I am NOT a paid employee, nor do I work for free. My surgery was on Friday, January 11. I chose my surgery to be in Cancun. I opted to not to go to a border town, because I wanted scenery and beaches and a mini-vacation. I researched which physicians performed surgery in Cancun. There are several that practice in Puerta Vallarta, Monterrey, and Cancun. Easy enough. I arrived Thursday, January 10 and was greeted at the airport with no waiting. Took me to my hotel. When I arrived, the hotel staff was extremely courteous and offered me a free upgrade to a villa. YAY!! (I have pics and should really post them at some time if you guys want to see them.) Met in lobby on Friday at 8:30 a.m. There was someone else going, they were late and we did not leave until 9:30 because she over-slept. Straight to the hospital. I arrive and greeted by a wonderful staff. I speak enough spanish to understand and to be understood. The best part? When in doubt...they have flash cards they bring to you to translate for themselves. My doctor comes to greet me (perfect english) and the labs/EKG and other stuff begins. Took about an hour, at the most. I had a room to myself. The floor was empty except for one other WLS patient. The hospital was great! My room had a shower, I sofa thatfolded out into a bed, working Wi-fi, and a tv with a blu-ray player. Anesthesiologist comes in and she was great. I answered a few questions she had and she answered mine. I changed into a gown and walked into the operating room and got on the table at 11:25 a.m. I remember singing "Proud Mary" and realized the anesthesiologist put something in my i.v. Woke up in the recovery room, and I really needed to pee. lol the nurse asked me, in her way, if I felt ok to go. "si, si, si." After that, I was in and out every for a couple of hours. Anesthesia wearing off. Then I was 'OFF!' I began with the laps. I had read about all kinds of major gas pain on here and to walk, walk, walk and that is what I did. Every hour (I timed by the TV shows: when it ended, I walked. repeat) At one point I heaved a little and saliva/clear stuff came up. I was afraid because of my new tummy. The nurse came in later and I told her about and she came back and put something in my i.v. and I did NOT experience it again while in the hospital. The nurses knew of my one episode of 'nausea' and kept the anti-nausea meds in the i.v. I was checked on hourly, my drain was checked and/or emptied. Was I not in pain because of the pain meds? I don't think so...I declined pain meds in my i.v. because I was not hurting. I have not taken NOT one bit of anything for pain since the surgery, nor since I left the hospital. Everyone's recovery is different. Walking helps. Saturday: this is something I had NEVER read about on these forums, my mouth began to Water and knew I was about to heave something. It came up, but I will say it freaked the poo-poo out of me. It was dark. like something from a horror movie. And it came up 3 times total. LOL. I could taste the 'metallic' taste to it and knew it was blood. I WILL SAY THIS: as soon as I got that up, i swear I felt like I could run a marathon. I literally felt that much better. The nurse made her rounds and came in, I showed her and she assured me it was completely normal. My Doctor came by later that day and told me the same thing. I was given ice chips several times throughout the day and was allowed to take the best feeling shower I have ever had. walked, walked, walked. watched NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order, etc. Sunday: The inevitable blue dye is brought to me. OMG. It is horrible. Think of liquid Nyquil, the green one, and about 12 oz of it. Dr comes and gets me and we go to look. I get downstairs and I took a drink of some other clear liquid and watch it go down in to my new little bitty tummy. It's BEAUTIFUL!! lol. No leaks appeared. back to the room and he looks at the drain, no leaks or blue dye in there, either. YAY! He tells me he is going to pull it out and "It doesn't hurt. It just feels funny." Is it going to make me laugh? "No, but it just feels like it." He pulls it out and honestly, it did not hurt. just a quick 'zip' and its out. No stitches, he states. It is natures way of laughing at Dr's because it is going to heal and look the best out of all the little one's you have. I laugh. I "can then shower dress and get ready to go, the driver will be here at 11:30 to get you. We will call the hotel and pay for an extra day because check-in time is not until 4 pm." Great! and he tells me to walk and keep walking. We leave, get to the hotel, and we get upgraded again because they couldn't get a room ready quick enough. Leave my things and went walking on the beach for 1 1/2 hours, then went to the mall for 2 hours. Monday: I am on soft/pureed foods and really can't hold much at all. I buy guacamole, but please put nothing in it. So basically, a smushed up avocado. Can I tell you guys.. I was scared to death. My tummy loved it. the entire baby spoonful I ate. I ate it for lunch and dinner. So, about a tbsp for the entire day. and only got in about 20 oz. of gatorade for the day. i ate a nibble of a piece of watermelon (it's on my approved list - and it came right back up. scared the poo out of me because i kept thinking i sprung a leak) It's just too much sugar for the new guy. Tuesday: Leaving today. Pack, leave my stuff at the hotel desk, and went shopping. Drank 20 oz. of gatorade, 2 baby spoonfuls of yogurt and get on the plane with my bottle of water. Wednesday-Friday: Every day has got better and better. I don't eat much. 1/2 a boiled egg and 1/2 tbsp of light mayo blended, water, and a couple of Protein drinks, a couple of bites of yogurt, 1/4 c of blended Beans. nothing chunky, just smooth. I am not hungry and I set a timer on my phone to remind me. Right now, by the time it takes me to drink 12-16 ozs. of water, it's usually time for some kind of protein. I have got more protein today than any other day. So, when everyone says it gets better and better, it really does!! I have no pain, I have only heaved the once with the watermelon, and I am walking around and doing okay. (don't want to jinx myself!) I love my new sleeved tummy!! I have lost 18 lbs total. 6 for the 7 day preop and 13.2 since surgery on Friday, 7 days ago. I am sure it will start to slow down very soon. Good luck on your journeys and I wish every single one of you nothing but success! Thanks to every one who posts here telling their experiences - I knew what to expect, because of those. -
My Sleeve experience in Mexico :)
abetterme4.2 replied to abetterme4.2's topic in Mexico & Self-Pay Weight Loss Surgery
Just wanted to update this post. As of today, I am down 90 pounds. yay! I have 1.4 lbs to go before I am in the "normal" BMI. More importantly, I am happy and healthy. I am back to my favorite activities including hiking (just completed 47 miles in 3 hikes, rugged terrain), rock climbing, cycling, cross fit, and walking 6-10 miles per day, 4 days per week. I shop for regular-sized clothing I currently eat 1,200 cals per day and 1/2 my body weight in Protein. Since I recently added crossfit 3 times per week, will be adjusting calories and protein as needed. I supplement with at least 1 Protein shake per day (out of convenience, in the a.m.) 175 days later, and the above are my results. Please be encouraged, no matter where you are in your journey. -
if I read about another stall Imma pull my hair out!
abetterme4.2 replied to allthatjazz4u's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My favorite magazine EVER is Clean Eating. Unfortunately, they filed bankruptcy (Robert Kennedy publishing) and it is no longer being published. I just received my last issue. unless, of course, some great people or company decide to buy it to keep it in production. -
I'm 4 weeks out from surgery and didnt lose any weight this week
abetterme4.2 replied to O2BSkinny's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
In the search box, if you type in "3 week stall" you will see it is normal for sleevers. hope this helps. (It's a lot of reading that will pop up!!)