NMJG

I'd like to hear from vets on this, too. At 3 months, I have it. I think it must be common because my nut told our presurgery class about it and told us to start every morning with a warm cup of water with lemon. I have hot herbal tea. The warmth loosens me up. Can't face food before my hot drink.

Just my two cents, but weight loss varies so much person to person. Since I only lose 2 lbs. a week at my best, that future is not unlikely for me (at 3 months in a week). But if I were 30 years younger and/or a guy, I think it probably wouldn't be so. Don't get discouraged.

Nice. I just picked up new flavor of Torani SF: Brown Sugar Cinnamon - don't buy it, tastes like barf

Congrats, that's terrific!

Look at you! That's amazing progress.

I'll repeat what so many vets have drilled into us: Protein first, then veg, then healthy complex carbs No drinking with meals Get in your Water Log everything I bet you can get on track. Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

I'm so happy for you!

yep, I've got the squishy tummy, too, along with wrinkly thighs and amazing batwing arms. I do believe I can fly.

LOL, BMI 29 today - not officially obese any longer (and hopefully never again). Now I'm just fat and happy

The type of medical center will vary the cost, too. Self pay in TX in a center of excellence can run $15k for VSG. Fortunately, my insurance paid (and required a center of excellence). My BMI had to be over 35 with comorbidities (I was 36 with high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol). My dr. won't do lapband any longer. He did a ton of them but now only does sleeve and RNY. The ironic thing is that my blood pressure hasn't dropped despite my weight loss. I just have bad genes.

No kidding. My shopping has been out of control since the sleeve. And I've adopted 2 more rescue dogs since then, too (that makes 8 dogs and 4 cats total). I need a pet intervention.

(sigh) http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/99211-birthday-%f0%9f%98-no-cake/

(I'm struggling to find stuff GG hasn't mentioned....) Taco meat (ground or shredded beef or chicken cooked with taco seasoning). If you can handle lettuce, add it to salad for a taco salad with a tablespoon of shredded cheese, a spoonful of light sour cream and a tablespoon of guacamole. Cold tofu marinated in soy or other Asian seasoning. Gazpacho (if you can have raw veggies) Hardboiled eggs and deviled eggs 3 bean salad Garbanzo Beans in a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and salt/pepper Open face PB sandwich made with one slice Ezekial Bread and either reconstituted PB2 or Peanut Butter or almond butter, with sugar free fruit spread if you desire Quesadilla made with one low carb tortilla, low fat cheese and some hot sauce or green chile inside. Chili

Bummer, but I read something recently that sex doesn't burn many calories at all. Wish I could find that article, it was from a major newspaper.

Try nonfat plain Greek or nonfat plain kefir with a touch of Torani sugarfree Caramel. Yum! Don't add too much, those syrups are easy to overdo. When I can eat fresh fruit again I plan to eat it with strawberries, sort of a Strawberries Romanov dish.

I wish there were lids, too. And there is way too much sugar. Plain with a bit of sugarfree torani syrup works.

Congratulations on a fine achievement. I'm so happy for you.

Hi dad, Laura is right, get on a strong PPI like Prilosec or take ranitidine (I take both), it helps immensely. I would go far as to say the whole first month sucks and nothing really prepares you for it, no matter how much you read ahead of time. But, it does get better! In another month you will be on here sympathizing with new sleevers, too. Just search the forums for any issues that come up and you'll be sure to find answers. Good luck!

Yep. It gets better. I switched to B12 injections once a month as I have a problem getting all my vits and meds down, too. 22 lbs. in a month is great! Congrats!

Hand me downs and thrift store clothes for me while I'm losing. I find that wearing clothes that fit help me stay on track and improve my self esteem. I get rid of all the big stuff. It's a mental thing for me. If I don't have any big clothes any more I sure as heck better stick to the program.

Shopping for designer clothes, no more Walmart clothes. I never would spend much on fat clothes.

Wonderful news, be proud of yourself!

I'm going to be the bad guy. Don't eat cake. Do something nice for yourself instead. You'll feel better and be proud of yourself. What better gift than the gift of health? Go get a massage or a pedicure, go to a great chick flick, just do something cool and awesome for yourself that doesn't involve food. You can do it, just be strong and don't listen to the enablers. This is a new life, don't fall back into old behaviors. Cake sucks, don't do it. Celebrations do NOT need to be about food. Let us know what happens, I believe in you and that you can do the right thing for yourself. Happy birthday to the new you!

Isn't that a lovely feeling? Congrats!

Very thought provoking thread, I agree. I actually had a nightmare the other night that I kept eating crap and slider foods and couldn't stop and failed my sleeve. I tell you, that dream was very vivid. I've lost weight many times, but it always came back. That's the future I fear. I also worry about people with 50 lbs. to lose that get mad when we explain it's not all roses. They don't want to hear it, and that's their prerogative, but it makes me sad.