NMJG

Seela, try Chico's. Their dresses are very flattering and comfortable. I'm wearing one in a pic in my photo gallery if you want to check it out.

Just my take, but is it possible she never saw you as fat? You were not very big to start with, and you look awesome now. Sometimes those closest to us see us differently. Personally, I would not bring it up.

Wow! Well done!

My dr said no straws, but I found it didn't cause any gas issues from too much air. I do use straws.

Every practice is different and insurance vs. self pay makes it different, too. I was insured and it took 4 months from first info meeting to surgery date. Mostly it took time because I had so many different tests to do, psych eval, doctor visit, etc. then the doctor's office submitted to the insurance company. Insurance took 3 weeks to approve then we scheduled the surgery based on the doctor's schedule. Maybe you are thinking of a mandatory 6 months pre-diet. Lots of people with insurance have those, luckily I did not,

I only told my husband and two grown kids, no one else in the family. Too much drama. So glad I chose to stay quiet, it's been great, especially when I read about all the cr@p other people on here post about their family issues with WLS. The surgery is hard enough.

PDX has it right. My own thoughts on the topic, based on info from my surgeon plus my own experience: As your stomach heals, you can't eat much at all - perfect opportunity to lose fast in the early days, so take advantage of it. After 6 months, you are pretty much healed up, so more food is easier to get down (read "easier to screw up"). Your metabolism "reset" that allowed you to lose very fast in the first 6 months may start to slow down. My dr says the "window" closes around 18 months and weight loss stops at that point. I definitely lose at half the rate post-honeymoon than I did early on. One pound a week instead of two (I'm a slow loser to start with). My surgeon's goal was 60% of my excess weight off by 6 months, which I was able to do, even with my slow loss rate. I still have my food issues, but at least I am very aware of them now and I feel like I have more control. I know now that I eat "bad" food for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. While I am not always successful, I do have some go-to strategies post-6 months to help me get through those times, and they work most of the time. I have the sleeve to thank for that because it never would have worked for me before. The honeymoon was a great period to work through these issues and learn good habits. Bottom line: you can lose after 6 months, however, it will likely be much more difficult than the first 6 months when everything is new. The honeymoon is a wonderful time for loss and not to be wasted. Best of luck to you.

Absolutely get another opinion. What you describe is not normal. Please let us know what you learn. Sending hugs.

Thank you!!!!! Well said.

Try Carb Chopper or other low carb tortillas or stick with the little corn tortillas that are 50 calories. IMHO those are better choices for losing weight. Still can't eat a whole flour tortilla.

My dr opted for BMI of 21, smack in the middle of the healthy range. That puts me at 127 on his scale. I'm totally on board for that.

Wow! That is so inspiring awesome achievement.

My " cheesecake" recipe.... 1 cup ricotta ( fat free or low fat) 1 egg 2 tbl sugar free Torani vanilla syrup (or to taste) 1/2 tsp lemon peel grated 1/2 cup blueberries or other berries Mix together. Put in 2 mugs. Cover with plastic. Microwave for 1 minute or until set when you shake it. Let cool 5-10 min and eat or refrigerate. Makes 2 servings. Very high Protein. Fast and yummy.

I lost all the fat down there. Not much cushion for pushin' as my husband says. It was fairly fluffy before surgery

Personally I try to keep carbs at 60 g or under. During vacation, like this week, it's been bad, but normally I have no problem keeping to that. I also normally eat a lot of Beans so it's hard for me to stay at very low carbs. I've tried to go lower carb, like 20-40, but haven't had much success with that. I normally skip bread, rice, Pasta, etc. Never have room after my Protein and vegs. This week have been chowing down on vacation tacos LOL. That's gonna stop tomorrow.

GasX strips are great early on. They dissolve on your tongue.

Check out my post from a few weeks ago on the sleeve and drinking. It can hit you pretty hard.

Good for you! I limit my weigh ins to once a week, but I think how you are doing it is great.

My dr did not require preop diet if your BMI was below 40, mine was 36. However, I was not allowed to gain any weight or they would turn me away the day of surgery.

Explosive juicy poop-farts. Carry extra clothes in your bag just in case. At the slightest hint of interest in the bowel area, head for a toilet.

Used to be size 20 / 2X. Now I guess I'm thin / normal at size 8 / Small, but my tummy and thighs still need work. I'm hoping to end up at size 6. I'm 5'4 3/4". Grew a quarter inch since I lost weight and started weight training.

Mandy, think water balloons that someone let the water out of.

Right after surgery many people are numb and don't feel restricted. So it's extremely important to measure everything and don't go over the volume specified by the doctor. Call if you don't know what amount that is. Restriction will kick in. Be patient. Are you getting all your water in? Not enough water can hinder loss.

My surgeon ok'd it, although I never drank it much. I like Sobe Zero and Vitamin Water Zero. Unless you are drinking boatloads I doubt the sodium is too bad.

All surgeons are a tad different. It's important to be comfortable with your med team so you will follow their plan. That said, much of what you describe is common. For myself, I gave up coffee for the first 5 months. Nowadays I have a decaf skinny mocha weekly. I do drink with a straw because it doesn't cause gas for me, I do not eat a lot of carbs and I do eat healthy fats. I get in all my Protein most days. No soda but champagne occasionally. I almost always get in 8 glasses of Water or I get dehydrated. I eat my protein first most of the time. How I eat now is different than when I was first sleeved. Was much closer to what you describe. I eat chocolate on occasion too . I also do 3 small meals and 2 Snacks on most days. I usually keep under 1000 calories.