TwinsMama

My friend who had VSG and I both had problems knowing when we had to pee after surgery. I asked my Dr about that and she told me that the weight of some of our stomachs is so much that it always pressed on our bladder (think pregnancy). After the sleeve I no longer have that and even though I've lost very few lbs, I have to remind myself to go. So keep that in mind because apparently (at least in my support group) not knowing when to pee is a pretty common surprise post-op.

You look great!

I would say be careful if you are trying solid foods too early. While yes, you may be hungry, if you eat solids too soon, you could damage your staple line. While you may not feel like you're doing damage you don't want a leak so really be careful moving through the phases so quickly.

Glad to know I wasn't the only one. I too have a big chest and I could not get my bra on (hurt too bad). Then I tried to wear a spanx (not the really restrictive one) that had a shelf bra built in. The entire day I had horrible heart burn. When I got home, I took it off and heartburn literally went away immediately. Pre-op that undershirt was a joke (didn't hold a thing in place), it took getting the sleeve for it to finally do something worth the money. Too bad it also gives me heart burn now.

I found a couple online. I looked at Big Oven and a couple of the food network chef sites. The only thing I adjust is the crust. Here's a good one i like: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/country-quiche-recipe/index.html - I use only the egg whites and usually use turkey meat or bacon (nitrate free) in the place of the sasauge. I then grease a mini muffin tin and let me tell you, 3 of those minis keep me full for hours. As an FYI, you might have to chop your veggies even smaller due to the small tins.

Congrats!! Start with the step stool now so that by your surgery, you don't have to worry about trying to train him to use it.

I went through Kaiser but on the other side of the country. I could not even register for my first class (with the Nut) before my psych eval. As far as I know the psych evals are the same for all of Kaiser. Mine was done by phone and I was asked about 15 starter questions. It was not as intense and some where you have to meet face to face and answer over 100 questions. Call your Nut and ask if you can just schedule your eval now. Don't get frustrated, you've done a great job. To put things into perspective, I finished my 6 months in 7 months (they were lazy with getting my paperwork done - so I had to take matters into my own hands), then I spent another 5 months waiting for a surgery date. I was told the wait for the surgeon was at least a year so I switched and could not have been happier. Had I been scheduled when I first was approved, I would have missed out on my great surgeon. Relax, and realize most of us have had some set back, you can do this. Also, during the time of my pre-op process, I kept tracking my food and as if I would still meet with my Nut. I didn't gain anything back (even when I went on vacation). Keep watching what you eat and you'll do great.

Before my sleeve I could only do eggs in quiche that was loaded and had thick crust. Now I'm finding I like egg whites. Still can't do the yolk...part of me thinks that may be mental.

Wow, sneezing this is the first I've heard that. I'm a hiccup or belcher (thank goodness not too loud). This is actually kind of unique. I don't know anyone that sneezes. I bet if you get a large enough group of post-ops in a room and feed us, we can literally make the wait staff blush. I know some hiccupers, belchers, gas passers, and now sneezers. I am really cracking up over here.

I was hungry the entire time. Everyone kept saying it was head hunger. Then I almost fainted and my Dr squashed it and said, yes some people get hungry. What I had to do was up my Water and do 6 small liquid meals instead of the 3. I would say, try drinking more if you can. If your liquids are good, try to up the Protein. Don't worry about this, your sleeve isn't failing you. We just have a different experience with hunger.

While everyone is different I heard from a member of my support group (2 years out) that for some of us, this feeling is the new "full". I hate that stuck feeling but I appreciate that I feel it since I know I'm still so newly post-op (7 weeks). I also get this feeling if I eat something too fast (rarely but it does happen) or if something is too dry. I, like you, hope that we can get to a point where we no longer feel stuck.

Well I am normally so full once I've had a few bites that I can't imagine drinking before 30 min (normally I wait almost an hour). I have found that eggs (make mini crustless quiche) keep me full. I also find that Atkins meal bars (normally eat 1/2) keeps me full long.

Jumping in here to also say that while you messed up, if you log your food, log this too. That way when you feel the urge to splurge again, you can look at this and remember how you felt. No one on this forum is perfect, we all make mistakes. Learn from this and don't beat yourself up, or you may find yourself running to food for emotional relief. Get back on track for the rest of today and tomorrow.

I have Kaiser and was told I needed 2 years of documented weight loss attempts. I had no comorbidities but a high BMI, so that at least got me the referral to start the 6 month process.

Well I'm only 7 weeks out but I had a 4 week (yes 4 whole weeks) stall. I read on the boards that it is not unusual to stall within the first 2 months while your body heals itself.

I used to do wraps before I did surgery. I liked how they worked...but at the time I was drinking over 100 oz of water daily. They will dry you out. My results tended to last, however I was going regularly so that could be why it seemed they lasted a long time. I suggest getting them sparingly when you have an event or need to drop water weight. But long term, it won't get rid of your excess skin.

Amaging...congrats!!

Same as the posters above, I told everyone. I have received nothing but 100% support. I don't post it on Facebook or anything like that, but I plan to post pics of my progress for my out of state friends to see (per their requests). I like the support I've received and also the encouragement when I'm not feeling well or have a hard day. So far everyone has been supportive and no one has said anything negative. Part of that is my personality though, I've very confident and thought long and hard about this surgery (2 years worth) so I could care less what anyone thinks. As a side note, I have a friend who also had surgery and she chose to not tell anyone (but her immed fam and 4 of her friends). She didn't receive much support during her process because no one knew to even support her. Looking back, she now wishes she had told people earlier because at goal, she feels bad having been only 1/2 truthful with the people she cares about.

Oh Burlesque Jazzercise...didn't even know there was one. I'll have to look into that.

Excellent advice, this is so important because he is part of your journey.

Also consider that he may just like big women. Some men do and while they may mask their dislike of you getting smaller/healthier with the fear of you leaving. Besides, how many people will be honest and say, yeah you're not really that healthy overweight but I'd rather you stay that way because I'm turned on by the extra weight? I'm sure not many would be that honest. When my husband and I met we were both half the size we are now. We met in college (didn't date then though). When I told him I wanted to have surgery, his first response was fear, not that I'd leave but of the complications and possible death. Could your hubby have the same fear of sickness/death, but is masking it as fear of you leaving? Also, something to think about. However, I do know people who were never thin and once they had surgery they completely LOST their MINDS. While this can happen, I agree with what the other posters said...your foundation will make or break this phase of your marriage. One suggestion I do have for you, talk to your hubby about the different sex positions you can try once you lose the weight. I did this with my hubby and when he realized he could benefit too, he was even more supportive. I hate to make it sound like you have to convince him that he benefits, but for some men, even better sex is enough motivation to support you.

I lost about 25 lbs pre-surgery. 10 on my own and then about 15 with my Nut. Great for you that you've lost so much. Any weightloss is excellent!

I love love love anything belly dance and bollywood. Those are fun!

That's been my prob. My Dr doesn't want me to go back to purees. I would in a heartbeat. I just have to learn what works and what doesn't. My problem is that I have developed problems tolerating foods I once could eat. Once I know everything that my body no longer likes, then I think I'll be golden.

OMG...I'm so sorry Jamie!