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I tell them that I am just eating less and exercising more. Very few people know and I like to keep it that way.

Soma takes all used bras, and size, any brand, just so long as they are in good shape! They often advertise the drives, but they actually take them year round!

Isa and Jennifer, I am not a professional chef, but I am a hobby caker, I spend most of my weekends making cakes and other pastries for parties and events. I also and a huge foodie. The biggest things you will be up against will be the desire to snack the same way that I'm sure you do now. I am constantly tasting food, having bites here and there, and generally filling up on empty calories when I cook. I have found the biggest deterent for me is to fill up before I step into the kitchen. I will be sure I have just had a Protein shake, or filled up on something before I start to cook. Then I'm only 'tasting' the most necessary things. I know being a part time baker/caker isn't the same as being a full time chef, but hopefully you can employ the same technique. This is very easy to do when you are early out as you will not be able to eat much more than a few bites at a time, but if you employ a technique to keep you from snacking through the day, you will find it's easier to stick to once your sleeve is healed. Just be sure you don't start 'eating around the sleeve', or snacking a lot because you can take in a lot of calories without realizing it. Good luck!

My favorite morning treat, 1 banana, 2 eggs, 1 scoop protein powder (any flavor). Mash banana, mix in eggs and powder, make pancakes. YUM! There is enough for 2 servings for me. You can make mini pancakes like I like or can make 1 really big pancake.

The NoNo works on white hairs too. Although my mom did burn herself a few times, as she has looser skin on her face, and the skin got caught on the wire. If you have looser skin you have to hold it taunt before using the device. I believe they have a money back guarantee promotion. It's an expensive device, but as I said, it works for me.

Paul, I can't tell you how many times, especially early on I've slammed shut the screen on my lap top, or gone to bed angry by something on this forum. My husband laughs at me and asks why I am letting the internet make me angry, but I could not have said it better than you just have. I get angry because I don't want people to fail at this. I also don't want new people researching the sleeve to think it's ok to cheat, and not change, and to say 'well this person is doing it, I can too', and develop bad habits because other people poo-poo the boasting of failures. I got yelled at the other day because someone said they were giving up and eating zebra cakes everyday...well if you want to do that crap, do it away from here, and don't expect a pity party! We all know what we need to do, we all jumped through hoops to have this surgery, and I also believe we should all be respectful of it, and successful. Good for you for being an a**hole. I commend you.

I'm a Mexico sleever so my follow up is zero. I have gone to my PCP for blood work ups, and rely on the forums for moral support. I do think follow up is important though, especially for some people more than others. I can see how regular meetings can be helpful, many people in the past have found help/comfort in group meetings such as weight watchers etc. If you feel that a rigorous follow up program would be beneficial for you, it could be money well spent. Think of yourself at this time, and not about the money. Yes, it's easier said than done, especially since it's 5k, but ultimately if you feel it will help you, then invest in yourself, and don't look back. Good luck whatever you decide. You're worth it!

I have been a huge Soma fan for many years. As I go down through the sizes I've been taking my old bras with me and donating them. They take your old bras and then donate them to women in shelters. This is working very good karma wise for me as I seem to need new bras every 2 months or so so far. I buy one in light nude and one in black each time I go down a size. I've gone from a 44DD to a 38D already.

I have the same thing! Some days I can eat almost 6 oz of solid protein before I am full, other days less than 2 oz and I'm done for! I think my sleeve goes through cycles...I don't know either! I was sleeved in MX so I don't have a Dr or a NUT I can ask, it is weird...

Shelby, My story is different from yours, but my conclusion was the same. Why, How? I actually grew up with 2 obese parents. My mother was the master of (what I call) 'Fat ass' Southern cooking. She was a stay at home mom most the time, and I can remember her taking a 9X13 cake, cutting it into quarters (there were 4 of us, my parents and 1 sister) and we would all sit down with a fork and eat our 1/4 of a cake. If we didn't eat it all, my father would readily finish what we hadn't, so we would all typically finish our 1/4 in less than 15 minutes. That was just my childhood, my sister and I were chubby as kids, but she 'grew out of' her weight when she got braces and said food was too painful to eat, and I grew out of mine in high school as typical adolescent teenagers do. My sister put her weight back on in college, and my parents took off quite a bit, my mother has kept most of hers off now, by doing Adkins when I was in my 20's. My father has always yo-yo'd with his weight. I was very slim through my early twenties until I moved from Thailand where I'd been for 5 years to Wisconsin to get married. The weight readily and quickly piled on as my lifestyle changed drastically, pre-packaged food, sedetary lifestyle, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), and LOTS of beer and cheese (Yay Wisconsin!). A long divorce 4 years later, moving back to AZ and a new marriage to a man who was also morbidly obese saw me tipping the scales at 265. I saw my mother have to go through a triple by-pass, and she is on high blood pressure and cholesterol meds, my father has an enlarged heart, has had a heart attack and stints put in, he also has bad knees and is on a slew of meds, my mother in law who is also morbidly obese is practically home bound, and the final straw was when my sister told me her cholesterol was so high her Dr. advised her to stop breast feeding her youngest and get on a statin before she had a stroke or heart attack. I personally have no medical issues, in fact I thought it was funny my Dr. would always say to me 'you are in very good health for being as big as you are'. I was a very happy fat person, my husband is still a very happy fat person. However, the light bulb went off for me-I AM NOT INVINCIBLE-! I may have been healthy and big, but if I kept down that road...it would probably be a short one. I had done many a diet, my love-hate diet was Medifast. I HATE the taste of artificial orange ANYTHING because of that diet. I had been round and round with diets that didn't work for 6 years. Then I read an article. I wish I could find it so I could link it here, but the article was about how people who have more than 100 pounds to lose and then actually do lose the weight, without surgical intervention, only 3% are successful. :/ 3%?!?! I couldn't believe it...or maybe I could. Would I ever be 3%? I didn't think so. In fact, I know not so. When I started to research WLS I started out thinking I could get the band, then have it removed after a few years...but reality struck me, no other diet had ever worked, what made me think getting a band losing weight then having it removed would work? The more i researched the more I found that talked about the horrors of the band and how it could erode etc. I always thought by-pass was way too invasive, but then I found the sleeve. I found this forum especially to be helpful, I really enjoyed reading about people that were researching and just starting, but then I began to read about the veterans also, and I discovered that I really could stick with the sleeve. Yes the first few weeks and months suck, liquid stage, pureed stage, mushies, soft food, but as I got further and further out from surgery, I loved that I didn't and still for the most part don't have hunger anymore, and that I don't have food cravings anything like I used to either. I am 8 1/2 months out, and this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. You can and will eat ice cream and chips again, but you will eat them in moderation. You will eat star bursts and French fries, and you might even enjoy them, but thankfully, you'll probably never enjoy a super sized Mc Donalds fry with a quarter pounder and a huge coke again. This is a good thing!! I feel very zen about the why. I am not bothered by it like I was at the beginning. I don't mind much if people know I had the surgery, if they want to judge me, so be it. I am still horrible about exercise and know I would be much closer to goal if I did. I have Cookies or chips or some cake now and then, but I don't eat 1/4 of a 9X13 anymore I hope reading my story makes you realize that even though all of us have come from different diverse back grounds, we are all here together. Maybe we will never know why, maybe we were just given a bad lot of genes, maybe not...but the main thing is we are all here now having this journey, travelling it together. PM me if you would like an extra cheerleader on your side Congrats on having the sleeve, welcome to the losers bench, and don't sweat the small stuff, you'll get through all of the food stages, you'll drop the weight, and you'll be that skinny girl you've always been on the inside

Suzy, LOL I found that as I got heavier and heavier, I started to sprout weird black 'goat hairs' not only on my chin, but on my cheeks, on my double chin, on my upper lip...I am pretty sure my testosterone levels were way out of whack due to my weight. I had my face waxed a few times, BTW, I DO NOT recommend this it hurt like a SOB and my face was beet red (I have very fair and sensitive skin) for at least a day afterward. I finally purchased a NO-NO hair remover thing, it's awesome BTW, and have definitely noticed that as I lose more and more I need to use it less and less, so I think that dependent on factors such as age (pre or post menapausal) etc you should stop growing 'goat hairs' from your chin as your hormones naturally regulate themselves. In the mean time, I suggest the NO-NO, it's is awesome and really works.

Too funny! I had the mysterious 'pickle craving' also There was a thread I found around the time I started, and found this is a strange phenomenon. You're not the only one Pickles, sour kraut, anything with that vinegary-brine taste, such a strange craving!

I was sleeved November 3rd, and less than 2 weeks later I was in Vegas for a week and a half celebrating my anniversary with my hubby. I could have cancelled the trip, but I am glad I didn't. I took my bullet blender and powdered protein. I packaged it in individual serving sizes so all I had to do was dump it, add ice and water. I drank apple juice alot, lol. We went to a buffet (50 per person) for Thanksgiving dinner and I had butternut squash soup and half of a crab leg. LOL, it was the most expensive crab and butternut soup! I had a nibble or two of things my hubby ate, but I stuck with the liquid stage for the most part. The main thing was trying to get in enough rest/naps because I was still very tired and weak. Go and have a blast! Just be sure you take some stuff with you, you'll be fine. There are tons of soups to discover

I am 8 months out now, and have just recently had hunger poking it's head up again. It's not constant, and it's not often, but if I go 4-5 hours without eating my belly lets me know, it's nothing like it was before surgery though.

Why are you torturing yourself? You know what you're doing wrong, you're eating crap. This isn't a magical miracle cure, you have to work with your sleeve. If you're looking for someone to throw you a pity party, you're not going to get it from me, and I hope no one gives it to you. You are failing YOURSELF. You chose to have this surgery, and are boo-hooing because you are not following the rules, are not following the diet, and aren't following up with your Dr. or NUT. You have already lost 108 pounds, that is GREAT! Now get off your A** go see your Dr. and start making regular visits to your NUT, get into some form of therapy, and do what you're SUPPOSED TO DO and finish this journey you started. No, it's not easy, yes you will continue to have cravings, and no it doesn't get easier.

This forum is my only 'support' I was sleeved in Mexico and I think if I didn't have this forum to rely on I would have never gotten the sleeve to begin with. I have read about so many things that I've also experienced, and many things (thankfully) I have not yet experienced. Thankfully if it's good bad or ugly you can find it here

I first had the 'slimies' around the same time, about 2 weeks out. I was eating some really mushed up anise root that I had boiled to oblivion in chicken broth, I got them after only about 3-4 bites. Scared the hell out of me. I am pretty sure my sleeve just wasn't ready for that vegetable. You will find your sleeve is picky. Maybe it won't tolerate mashed sweet potato, but maybe it will love mashed banana...very strange indeed, but yes, it gets WAY better Congrats on being such a new sleever, and welcome to the losers bench!

The slimies! Yes, people talk about this often. People also refer to this a 'sliming'. It can either be phlegmy or almost like just spit, but it is the precursor to really throwing up, it just means you ate too much.

There are many things that I'm sure all of us do that doesn't follow our Drs orders, and there are many things we do we know we shouldn't do. Some of them really aren't that bad, like I drink out of a straw, all the time. I eat desserts like cake and cookies probably at least twice to 3 times a week. The key to these 'bad' behaviors is moderation and admission. If you feel like you need to drink in a social situation and your sleeve tolerates it, then go for it. I drink with my sleeve. I did wait 6 months, and I have maybe half a drink every few weeks or so, also as a social thing. I do think that alcohol is empty calories and is probably hindering you from losing more weight faster. Another key reason many Drs don't want us drinking is due to transfer addictions. If you have had a true food addiction, it is easy to transfer that addiction to alcohol, gambling or even sex. If you want to drink, you are an adult, and you're the only one that can modify this behavior if you're really concerned about it, otherwise, congrats on your sleeve.

I can see myself at goal. I know I will get there...Although I almost saw myself with Sonic Cinnasnacks about an hour ago...I ordered an unsweet tea and thought, those look good...ordered some of them too...then I looked up the calorie info while I waited. 600 calories for the 3 piece The homeless guy at the corner was excited when I pulled up and gave them to him though, still hot! Got my karma for the day and I can STILL see myself making goal sorry to hijack your post

So, I am 2 days away from being 8 months out, I'm down 90 pounds and working my way to goal. My issue is a fairly recent change for me. I have begun to feel hunger again, and not a little like. '..hhhmmm...maybe I'm hungry...', but really serious 'I'm going to eat ANYTHING, FEED ME' kind of hunger. It is almost a burning, achy feeling in my tummy. This usually starts late afternoon around 3:00 if I have accidentally skipped my 2:00 'meal'. It only takes a few bites of something usually to make the pains subside, but I will get this again in the late evening around 8:00-9:00 sometimes as well. Is this real hunger? Is my grehlin production up? I was a lucky sleever that felt zero hunger after surgery so far. Do I need to start taking a PPI? I would consult my NUT or Dr. but I am a Mexico sleever, so I sadly have no one to turn to for guidance aside from you all. Has anyone else experienced this so late out? It's odd to me to have this 'hungry' pain starting now, anything I can do about it besides eat a few bites to subdue it? Thanks in advance for any advice.

not heartburn, it doesn't really 'work' its way up my esophogus. I've had heartburn before, this just stays in the pit of my stomach. I've not really done anything different, have not increased or decreased my activity level. Maybe I need to bring my meal times closer together for a bit? As I mentioned, it does get better with just a bite or two of food.

I have enjoyed their seared ahi tuna and also their carpaccio. Otherwise, their soups are a good choice also. Good luck!

Yes, people do die and have died from this surgery. It is a sad fact. There was a guy who was on here a few months ago who passed away, he had a blood clot after several other issues. There are some people that have leaks, and I did read one poster posted about here sister who had tons of issues and was hospitalized for several months after this surgery, and had to be fed through a feeding tube. I'm not trying to scare you by telling you these things, but it does happen. I was lucky enough to be incident free when I had my sleeve done, but I was also in relatively good health. That is not to say people in good health do not have complications. My mother had a tummy tuck in December, she used a wonderful surgeon that cam highly reccommended who I helped her choose after tons of research. Her tummy tuck went septic, she had to be recut open and the area had to be fully cleaned out. She spent over 2 weeks in the hospital, and is still not fully recovered, she still ahs extensive swelling and the scar looks awful. She just happened to be number 1 in a million. I would do this surgery again in a heart beat, and I will probably have a tummy tuck someday as well, but please do all of your research and know that unfortunately complications do exist in any type of surgery, and one of those complications is death. I hope you find a good trusted surgeon. Best of luck to you.

You can try biotin, thickening shampoo, get your vitamins, get your protien etc. for some of us, it jsut happens, and is really unavoidable. The good news is that it doesn't all fall out, and that it grows back. I noticed mine thinning around month 3 so I cut it off and donated to locks of love before the fall out got so bad it was unusable. It started growing in again around month six. I keep it in a short pixie style, and really dig my new cut. The best thing to do is focus on your weight loss and not the hair loss, just think of it as a new you! It really does get better, I promise!!