KateClivex

Amytug - which DVD? I don't see a link or a title... pretty please?

They gave me all of my meds in the hospital, and I haven't had any problems swallowing them. I do cut the large one in half, but it is not time released. Give your pharmacist a call and see if there are other forms of the medicine available. Then call your doc and let them know what the options are. Doctors have too many meds to keep track of, so I would do some of the legwork for them. But warning: I used to take my meds first thing in the morning with Water. I took them after Breakfast post-op, but I found myself forgetting them until afternoon due to the routine change. But on post-op day 17, I decided to get back in the habit of taking the meds first thing in the morning - and I was nauseous all day. Really made for a miserable day. Right now, I am back to taking them after breakfast. But in a while, I will try to take the in the morning with one or two crackers.

I have had virtually no pain. I think I pushed my pain pump button a few times that first night, but I think I was more afraid of threat of pain than the pain itself. Next day, IV was pulled and I was given Vicoden at the hospital, and I took as they told me to. Went home that day, and have not used any since. On day three, I used regular tylenol because my stomach was sore, like I had done too many sit ups. But that's been it. No gas pain, no incision pain. Slept on my stomach on day 4. The only ever so slight problem I had, was the first 5 days, when I woke up in the morning, I was slightly nauseous. But that has resolved itself as well. I am not having intake problems either, with liquids or Protein. I wonder if my surgeon even did the surgery! I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. (knock on wood!)

I am struggling with this too. I am only a week out from surgery, but lost a fair amount pre-op. Reading all of the responses has helped me too! I wonder if I were to designate a certain dollar amount to go into a separate apparel fund, if that would help. In a year, I could have XX dollars, and if I *had* to, I could buy larger clothes. Of course, I won't have to, and will have come to trust my weight loss by then, so a big "small clothes" shopping spree would lay ahead! Besides, regardless of what size we are, we will NOT be naked. Stores will always sell plus sized clothing. And there are the thrift stores and consignment shops too.

I strained it, and had it on post-op days 1 and 2. No issues.

Hi everyone! I am pre-op with surgery scheduled for May 1st. I am not all that familiar with low carb diets... can you give me an idea of how many carbs you eat per day? I assume this increases as you increase your calories? I know that you need good carbs, and I don't think that carbs are demons. But I have heard that reduced carbs reduces cravings of sugary foods and other high carb foods. I would love to hear your thoughts!

The surgery is a tool to help you stick with a healthy diet. It takes away your ability to eat large quantities at one sitting. And it helps most with their hunger issues. Or if you feel hunger, you can take a few bites to feel full again. If you think these tools might be useful to you and can help with long term success, then surgery might be a good option for you. If you think it will be difficult to fill your sleeve with the healthy items it needs to do it's job for you, then maybe consider putting off surgery until you are more ready. Note: I have NOT been sleeved yet, but I feel that with these tools in my favor, I will have much better success! As far as the 6 month diet goes - mine did not specify that I had to lose weight. My doctor was focused on making very small changes... adding more Water and Protein. Adding in some exercise. Etc. Some months I lost a few pounds and some I didn't. No matter what your decision is, I wish you luck!!

I have not yet been sleeved, but will be May 1st. One thing that my doc and NUT have said is that if things aren't sitting well, go back a stage. Don't rush things. Everyone heals at a different pace, and you might be still more irritated than other's at this point in their journey. Sending you good vibes and hope you can overcome this soon!

Oh, and I had to take the h. pylori test on Tuesday. I had to swallow some sour stuff they tried to pass off as "lemonaid". Then I had to blow air into a bag. Then 15 minutes later, had to blow air again. That's it. No PPIs for 7 days before, and nothing by mouth an hour before test. Hope that helps some!

Hi everyone! My story is much the same... overweight most of my adult life. Lost/regained, rinse/repeat. I think I have some inner demons with food... I am currently exploring how I use my "ugly fat" body as a barrier, to avoid getting close to anyone. Still playing around with that one in my head! I am in Iowa, the Des Moines area. I am using Dr. LaMasters through Iowa Health Weight Loss Clinic. I am 5'9" and started out this journey at 318, but am currently down to 280 or so. I am a single mom of two, a daughter who is 12 and my son who is 22 with Asperger's so he is still home. I am a May Day Baby! May 1st for me! Glad to be on board!

I drank diet mt. dew all day, every day. It's the only thing I drank, for at least 10 years. Not only did I want the caffeine, but I seriously felt that the carbonation was the only thing that quenched my thirst. Well, I am now on day four of no soda/caffeine. It's not been awful. I have been drinking a ton of Water. Some very slightly sweetened decaf tea/chai. Yesterday, I had one swallow of diet mt dew from my friend's cup - and although it was nice, it also tasted way too sweet. I have also been taking Tylenol proactively, to avoid the headaches, which has mostly worked. I will most likely not drink soda again. I like it so much, I am afraid it will easily become an addiction again. I am not very good at moderation - I am pretty all or nothing.

Probably not. It's a no-no for me. Try a sugar free fudgsicle!

You look fantastic!! Thanks for taking the time to share with us - great motivation!

Since every insurance company is different, it is hard to say whether you would be approved, unfortunately But I will say, that I use Humana, and I needed a BMI over 40 since I had none of their "approved" co-morbidities. I wish you luck!!

Broth.

This is how people are gaining cup sizes: Measuring your band size is pretty self explanatory - around the ribs, where your bra band sits. Then you measure around the fullest part of your breast. If your breast measurement is 1 inch larger than your band size, then you are an A cup. 2 inches bigger, then a B cup. and so on. (rough ideas on measuring for the example) So if you start as a 40 B, that would mean the fullest part of your breast measures 42". If you lose some band sizes, and your breast size stays the same, it would increase the cup size. If you are now 36 in band size, but your breast size still measures 42" then the difference between cup size and band size is 6" and that would lead to a size DDD cup. So your new bra would be 38DDD. Make any sense?

I love the "enough". I might actually steal that idea! I tattoo is my reward for goal weight! I am not sure how much a tattoo would stretch if I got one now, with the bulk of my weight still to lose. Congrats on sticking with your pre-op diet and good luck with the surgery!

I have found a couple of flavored Protein powders that I really enjoy. Cellucor Cinnamon Swirl, unjury chicken broth (mixed with regular chicken broth) and BSN chocolate Coconut Candy Bar, in case you were wondering. (And I am still sampling!) I am looking for an unflavored Protein powder. I know that they are truly not unflavored, and I get that. But I am looking for one that dissolves easily. For instance, if you stir it into yogurt or pudding, it seems like it would be gritty. Are there any that dissolve easily without a blender? Does anyone have any personal recommendations? Thank you in advance! This board has been a wealth of information, I don't know what I would do without you all!

I am penciled in for mid-April. I will get the exact date on March 26th. This has been a 13 month process for me, and I am ready to get the show on the road!! What am I looking forward to most when I get to goal? I just want to be able to keep up. Keep up with my children at the amusement park or fair. I would even settle for being able to keep up with them at the mall! I am hoping by late fall I will be able to fit into roller coaster seats!!

Thank you everyone!! I will run by my surgeon's office and grab a couple of samples of the unjury!

Personally, I would consider having your sensible dinner for breakfast or lunch, so you start out the day satisfied. Then you can keep ahead of your hunger for the rest of the day.

Thanks for sharing! I am not too nervous yet (but still a month away from surgery!) and it is great to fill my head with facts. What to expect, etc. I do much better if I know what is coming! I wish you all the luck on healing properly! Please keep us updated!

WoW!!! Fabulous!

Congrats on reaching goal!! Thanks for the encouragement and reminders! You have done excellent - feel proud!!

You'll do great!! Good luck and let us know how you are doing!