Momonanomo

Ely thats really cool i can tell by your profile pic that you are attractive. Im glad someone told you in person.

I just stay away from the rice! Poke, or sashimi, with nori is one of my favorite meals. Yummy!

Hi becca! Thanks for sharing your story, and congratulations on starting your journey! This board is a wealth of information I read EVERYthing I could while I prepared for surgery. Im still addicted People are great about sharing their experiences, and by the time I had my surgery, nothing was a surprise I take Bariatric Advantage chewables. My NUT (nutritionist) recommended them because they have evrything we need, and there are no special timing issues for proper absorbtion. I like them because I think of them as a little sweet treat. As far as loose skin.....You just wont know til you get there! For sure though: you will FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. And your beautiful family will love that you feel better:) Best of luck!

Hi Anna Good for you for doing your research. I know I researched all my options and the sleeve seemed the best for me. Turns out I was right! We do have Australian friends on the board every now & then....might I suggest doing a patient search (on the right hand side of the menu bar at the top of the page). Maybe you could inbox someone in your area & find a buddy. I found someone early on who had the same surgeon as me. She is amazing! Im so glad to count her as a friend. I hope you can find someone like that who can mentor you through the process. I wish you the best!

My favorite is poke wrapped in nori like an awesome lil sashimi burrito. Yum! I think the first time I had that was may 8 or 9 weeks post surgery. A teeny bit fills me up, but srsly, YUM!

make sure yo're not getting dehydrated....nausea can be a symptom. Try some sugar free popsicles.

Last year I was getting freaked out that my iud had moved around or adhered. The stupid gyno I went to never even examined me that day, but she announced that I needed to lose weight (duh) and demanded to know what I ate for breakfast every day. I told her I was on Jenny Craig, and she proceed to tell me to eat a yogurt every morning. I was like you have GOT to be effing kidding me. The whole time she lectured me, she was looking at me like I was poop on the bottom of her shoe. You would think she would have done an exam if I was concerned about iud adhesion!!! Not that I ever want to have to beg for a pelvic exam lol. So I went to a much better dr a week later, got my exam, and all was well. But seriously...wth!!!

thrift stores, ebay, etc. -- they are lifesavers! and, I'm going to sell some of the dresses I've shrunk out of at the local consignment store, so I can recoup some of that $$

THAT IS AN AWESOME STORY!!! I love it!

Mine said as soon I was off pain meds, and when I felt like I could. I drove within a week (even though I didn't take pain meds after 24 hours) check and see what your doc's guidelines are!

It's different for EVERYONE! Some lose a lot for a long time, or for a short time, and some lose small amounts for a long time, or for a short time. Point being: there's really no way to tell until (and unless) it happens to you. Sorry to be so vague. The good news is this: it grows back. I haven't read one single post where a veteran said it never grew back. I'm at 5 months post surgery, and I haven't lost any yet. I figure if I can get to the 6 months mark I'm in the clear (what I've read it starts between 2 and 6 months). I suppose it could start shedding tomorrow, and if it does I won't be surprised. I also will still be grateful for the 76 lbs I've lost so far, and for the reasonable chance that I can lose 69 more and get to goal. If I lose hair, I will know it's not forever & it does grow back. Try not to worry yourself too much over this! Get your protein, your water, and a balance of healthy fat in your diet. Take your vitamins, and biotin supplements. Be kind to your hair and massage your scalp well when you shampoo. But please don't make yourself miserable worrying.

Try not to think of it as a 'diet'. Think of it as preparing for a surgery. You want to give your surgeon the best chance of doing a safe surgery, and give yourself the best chance at a smooth recovery. Start fresh, now, today. You can do this! Wonderful things are ahead for you, just keep your eye on the prize! good luck!

I used to get reqlly into the show & get inspired. But then I read a follow up article, and most of them gain the weight back. I felt betrayed in a way....I kinda feel now like they mislead the audience. >shrug< just havent been into watching it ever since i read that. Plus, the product placement (advertising within the show) is pretty shameless! Just my opinion...

yes yes and YES! A kajillion times yes! The sleeve has not only reversed the horrible path I was going down, it has given me hope for a future in which I won't be miserable. I already feel so much better, and I am excited that I will keep feeling better and better as I head toward goal! I had tried so many things in the past and always ended up gaining it back plus extra. I was tired of failing, and tired of being tired. I researched all the different WLS and the new diet pills that have recently come available, and those that will be coming soon. I firmly believe that the sleeve was the best answer for me.

Oh I am SO sorry! I had post op nausea too it sucks. I can't tell you when yours will stop, because everyone is different. If they think you should stay in the hospital, you should stay. Numero uno priority right now is for you to stay hydrated. Dehydration is serious business. Tiny, TINY sips of Water are the way to go, and breathe. Just enough to wet your mouth. Tiny sips several minutes later, and breathe. Rest, and repeat. It WILL get easier over time. Also, they should have some anti-nausea medicine, and I've heard smelling an alcohol swab can help. Mine lasted no longer than a week, and while at the time I was miserable --- it's a distant memory now. Hope you feel better soon!!

next week Thursday, 10 am. just kidding When was your surgery? What is in your surgeon or NUT's guidelines? Go by their guidelines!! There'e an ongoing debate here about whether carbonation is damaging to the sleeve once it's healed. Certainly if you have just recently had your surgery, carbonation is out of the question, because it could hurt you and/or do some damage to your healing tummy. But if you're several months out.....well.... some people indulge, others swear i will stretch the sleeve, some have tried and found it painful. I'm about 5 months out and have had calorie free, very light carbonation a handful of times. If I drank too quickly it was uncomfortable. The way I see it, I will be doing right by my body if I can get off unnatural, carbonated beverages (this includes diet AND regular). Water is best really, and I'm trying to develop good new habits while I'm in this period. I worked really hard to get my sleeve, and for the progress I've made so far. Coca cola bottling company doesn't deserve my support -- they helped get me to a point where I needed surgery in the first place!

No drain

everyone and I mean EVERYONE seems to have a different experience! I had pain immediately after surgery in the recovery room, but it went away quickly. I was sore and sleepy and a bit nauseous for the next several days. Some people on here have no pain whatsoever, some are in a lot of pain for a while, and everything in between. I will say this though: when you first wake up from surgery, make sure the nurses know if you are in pain because they are there to help IF it does hurt (and it totally might NOT!). The other key thing immediately after surgery is to walk, walk, walk. A lot of times the pain people experience is from the gas the use in laproscopic surgery to inflate your tummy so they have room to work. After surgery, the gas gets trapped in your body tissues and can cause pain & discomfort. Walking helps it dissipate. Good luck!

A percentage of folks on VST have had leaks, and they can be caused for various reasons. In theory a leak could be caused from not strictly following the diet progression recommended by your surgeon, although it can happen for other reasons too. I was not ever tempted to "cheat" after surgery, because I didn't think of it as just any old diet. I thought of it as recovering from surgery that removed 85% of my stomach, and the thought of stressing the vertical cut line several inches long on a major organ of mine...well let's just say I wasn't going to push my luck on that!

Yes! I happen to like zombie apocalypse as a genre, but even if you dont, this show has amazing acting and storytelling! I love it

My surgery was 5/22, and when i eat good quality protein, i get uncomfortably full. Im somewhat uncomfortably full right now in fact I think people who are further out will say after 6 months the tummy relaxes, but I am curious to hear what they say. I do know for me at this point, it depends entirely on what I eat whether I feel the sleeve's restriction or not.

Great job! And yes Im also getting frustrated that the blogs arent working!

Total addicts here! My husband and I re-watched seasons 2 & 3, one episode per Sunday since last spring's season finale. That way we havent had to go without our TWD! Watching previous episodes was a great way to fill the 'dead' time between seasons lol.

I agree - something small & protein. I also recommend eating very slowly. And dont have anything too greasy or sugary --- that could ruin your evening. Focus on the conversation & company instead of the food & drink. Have fun!

We call it a protein-ccino!