Kellylynn

NurseKim, I had my two boys at AAMC - it is also a great hospital. I don't think you can go wrong there and with the follow ups and appointments closer to home is always better. I'm doing well. I'm on the slow losing side - 50lbs in 9 months. My starting weight was 245 and I was in a very tight 16. I'm now between 12 & 14's depending on where the cloths are from. How did the seminar go?

Hi there! I'm just down the road from you in Upper Marlboro. I had my surgery in May at Washington Hospital a Center with Dr. Timothy Shope & his group. They are/were excellent. The process was smooth albeit long (6 months with my insurance). I highly recommend WHC. Good luck to you!

TIFF!! OMG you are straight out gorgeous! And check out those outfits - super super cute. I miss my pal!

Oh and In The Garden of the Beast is a great historical fiction read about the US Ambassador & his family in Germany at the start of WWII.

Hi! I fly a lot for work and without Xanax I'd be a mess. In fact I'm at the airport right now waiting for another flight. I was sleeved on May 3. I h e not had any problems with taking Xanax for flying. Good luck to you!

I failed miserably during the ore-op. I had individuals on this board tell me i should cancel surgery, that I wasn't ready for it because I couldn't stick to the 10 day ore-op. I'm happy to tell you I was sleeved on May 3 and am down 27lbs. I'm in no way encouraging you to ignore the ore-op diet - but I am telling you it is not necessarily a measure of your readiness. If I had the perseverance to stick to diets in general I wouldn't have needed this surgery. I wish you the best of luck. Hang in there and try your best but don't beat yourself up at this point. You can do this!

Hi there! Where in Maryland are you? I'm in the Southern MD area and work in DC.

Day 11 and I'm down 22lbs! Sooooo happy!

Hi Maya, I believe this is a forver rule. As of today I am 10 days out and have my first follow up appt tomorrow; I will ask my doctor about this and let you know what he says. Hope all is well with you! Kelly

Maya, That was one rule my doctor and NUT were fanatic about - no drinking for at least 30 mins before a meal and 30 mins after a meal. They noted that avoiding this rule could lead to weight gain. You may want to check with your doctor. Good luck to you! Kelly

My dr never mentioned anything about pills. I wil ask about this during my follow up. In the meantime, I'm on day 8 with my new sleeve and I have been taking my pills since day 3. I put them on a small spoon with a little bit of yogurt. Hope it works out for you - keep us posted!

I'm 6 days out (may 3 was surgery day). I am able to have one - sometimes one and a half Protein shakes each day. It is still difficult to drink Water with or without Crystal Light .... But Popsicles, I feel like I could eat them all day! Other than this recent addiction to Popsicles, I am feeling like myself again. I went shopping today, walked, and mowed grass. Anyone else with a Popsicle addiction? I really can eat three in one sitting!

This is a great question! The only one i can find that is sugar free (so far) is the Popsicle brand. Weight watchers makes one that is high in Protein - 5g I believe, but not sugar free. Suggestions?

Yea! I bet that is a great feeling. Good for you!

Yes! sugar free popsicles have been a life saver for me too. Tiff, I am having the same relationship with Water as you are. Even when i mix it with crystal light, I can't get it down without a burning and a ton of pressure in my chest. Are you taking B-12? I just started this because I read it helps the tired and weak feelings. Today is now day 6. I hope it is much better for you today!

Yes! Afrodite82, it will also make a difference in your legs! You will be rockin cute summer dresses in no time.

They actually go all the way to 18. Online only. Size 14 is the highest they stock in store.

Newat52 from your response one is left to assume this really strikes a cord with you. I didn't see any name calling or labeling - she/he seemed to just be making an observation.

You honestly look great in both pics! I will say though, your eyes shine brighter in the thinner u photo. Congratulations! Simply beautiful.

Neneh!! A coke bottle - I never thought of that but that is a perfect description for me too! I love it! I've consistently been a size 16 boarder line 18 from time to time. Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft don't carry beyond a size 14 in the store but online they go up to 18. They weren't always like this. It was aprox 3 yrs ago they stopped carrying size 16 (and 0's) in the store.

Ha! maybe - but you with skinny little body would still look cute in your sweatpants and T! :-)

OMG ... a topic I actually know a little something about lol! Regardless of my size I have always loved cloths, shoes, handbags, belts, etc. Dressing well has always been an important part of my life (note: funny enough, although dressing well is important to me - I rarely notice how others dress. I care more about attitude - ironic, right?! I think I may be a physiologists dream!). Anyway... I love love love dresses. They are so easy and require no thinking and little to no preparation. Dresses you buy in the spring can transition into the summer just by adding leggings and cute little booties. Sheath dresses are the best. I have many of these and plan to belt them as I begin to drop weight. Belts are key! Wrapped around the outside of an oversized cardigan, sweater, button up blouses, with leggings - super cute; wrapped around sheath dresses to define your new waist line - amazing Recommended Reading: - How to Look Expensive, Andrea Pomerantz - Anything by Nina Garcia - InStyle Mag (a monthly super market pub) - my favorite! So, I just realized I'm coming from the angle of a professional working atmosphere. I work for the govt - but even outside of work, with the kids at school functions, etc, I always try to make an effort. Perhaps this was because I was/am overweight. I could never get away with throwing on sweats and a t-shirt and look "cute" so I had to do a little more to look effortless. Skinny or chubby - it is amazing how feeling good about how you are dressed can make you feel. Some of my favorite stores include: Ann Taylor Loft Ann Taylor White House Black Market TJ Max Marshells Target Macy's I am so excited for you (and all of us!) as we move forward on our journey! I wish you the best of luck and I am certain you will be/are already fabulous!

Makemyownluck! I can relate to how you feel. We went in on the same day and I have some similar feelings but I believe as others have said we we will look back on this brief time and an what all the fuss was about. At this very moment I am on a field trip with my sons first grade class and I keep asking myself why oh why oh why did I do this. The frustrating piece for me is a I'm so thirsty but really am unable to drink. The sips hurt. Listen my girl, we can do this. Lets move forward together, ok?!